NBA Buyout candidates must be waived by Sunday afternoon to be postseason eligible. That looming deadline sparked a spirited debate on The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross: should the Sacramento Kings part ways with Russell Westbrook and allow the future Hall of Famer a shot at meaningful playoff basketball?
“I would like the Kings to waive Russell Westbrook,” Dave said. “It’s a nuanced combo, but I think Russ and Max Raynaud — and yeah, Dylan Cardwell too — have been the three biggest bright spots.”
That sentiment carries weight, especially considering where Dave’s thought process started when Sacramento signed the former MVP.
“When the Kings signed him, I was like, ‘Oh God, here we go,’” he admitted. “Weird with the media, gonna roll in and steamroll rookies and take 97 shots from beyond the arc.”
Instead, Russell Westbrook flipped the script.
“I’m gonna be a fan of Russ Westbrook for the rest of my life,” Dave said. “A first-ballot Hall of Famer, made over a quarter-billion dollars, more games behind him than ahead of him, playing in the outpost that is Sacramento for the worst team in the NBA — and he’s diving on the floor like he’s back in OKC with KD and Ibaka. I really respect that.”
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Should the Sacramento Kings & Russell Westbrook part ways?
Westbrook, who entered this season as the Kings’ backup point guard, quickly passed Dennis Schroder on the depth chart to secure the starting spot within a few weeks of action.
The 37-year-old is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 43/33/70 shooting splits, playing 28.9 minutes per contest over 56 appearances.
Jason Ross added that Westbrook has exceeded expectations in both production and professionalism. His veteran presence, practice habits, locker room tone — “That impact has already happened,” Ross said.
Which is precisely why Dave believes it may be time.
“He’s not part of the future,” Dave said. “I’d rather see Nique Clifford and Devin Carter get those minutes and those shots. Russ is better right now, sure, and they probably win more games with him. But winning is kind of pointless this year, anyway. The goal is development.”
Sacramento (14-47) owns the worst record in the NBA, having lost 18 of its past 20 games during a stretch that included a 17-game losing streak — the longest in the Kings’ franchise history.
There’s also the human element, as Russell Westbrook–still without an NBA title during his illustrious 17-year career–would be better suited playing in games with meaning the rest of the way.
“He deserves better,” Dave said. “I want to see Russ play in games that matter.”
Ross framed it as a rare win-win scenario — if there’s mutual interest around the league. “You make the courtesy call,” he said. “Does this benefit you? If there’s a team that wants him off the bench in the playoffs, it’s not punishment. It’s a benefit.”
But there’s a catch. If no playoff team is calling, releasing Russell Westbrook serves no purpose. And the SacramKings can’t make a sentimental decision without intel.
Ultimately, the recent two-game sample offered clarity. In one loss, Russell Westbrook hoisted shots in a blowout defeat. In another, like Thursday’s win in Dallas, the team found a different rhythm by relying on young players like Carter, Clifford, and Maxime Raynaud.
“If they’re going to win,” Ross said, “it needs to look like [Thursday].”
Check out the full conversation by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will conclude a five-game road trip on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento is 1-2 against the Lakers this season, although they won the most recent matchup between the two teams–a 124-112 win at Golden 1 Center on January 12th–behind 32 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:00 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:30 pm PT tip-off from downtown Los Angeles.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
Tuesday, March 3rd vs. Phoenix Suns – 8:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 5th vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 8th vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 10th vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT
Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
