Is CBA still the best choice? Westbrook was revealed to want to join the Kings, but he has to solve the salary problem!

The 2025 NBA preseason battles continue, and the recent whereabouts of All-Star guard Westbrook has attracted the attention of fans. According to Kings reporter Carmichael Dave, free agent Russell Westbrook and the Kings are indeed interested in each other. However, the Kings must first solve the team's salary problem before they can sign Westbrook. It was previously reported that Westbrook had received a "sky-high" lucrative contract invitation from a Chinese league team, but he is more inclined to stay in the NBA league. However, the Kings may not be able to provide a rotation point guard position at present, which may also be the fuse to force Westbrook away.

Moreover, the Kings' main point guard is Schroeder, who was the replacement for Westbrook during the Thunder period. In the Thunder lineup in the 2018-19 season, Schroeder, as Westbrook's top substitute, was able to average 15.5 points per game. However, Schroeder is only a qualified substitute player. He does not have the strength of the current All-Star level main point guard, nor has he achieved his worth in international competitions. On the other hand, Westbrook is a superstar who has averaged a triple-double per game for three consecutive seasons. Schroder cannot be compared with him. Now Schroeder not only led the German team to the championship in last year's European Championship and won the MVP, but he has also become the well-deserved first point guard of the Kings.

Although the Kings were able to provide high-quality coordination on the offensive end last season, they still did not have a superstar who could score steadily in the decisive moment. Therefore, many fans think that the Kings want to claim Westbrook. However, although Westbrook was able to average 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game with the Nuggets last season, he was still incompatible with the team's tactical system. Westbrook also averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in the playoffs, but the Nuggets no longer need this veteran. Therefore, not only is Westbrook unable to stay with the Nuggets, but his personal inefficient play has also forced him to withdraw from popular teams such as the Rockets and Warriors, and he has become a free agent with no next home.

Of course, the Kings have not made any major moves before the previous trade deadline, which means that their current lineup cannot provide Westbrook with a suitable position. Therefore, even if Westbrook and the Kings are interested in each other, the possibility of the two sides joining forces in the end is not very high. If Westbrook accepts the big contract from the Chinese League, he can also plan to use the CBA League as a platform to impress NBA teams again. After all, Westbrook, a violent combo guard who can attack with the ball, and has top-level rebound protection and assisting abilities, will definitely be able to achieve MVP-level dominance in the lower-level CBA league. By then, Westbrook will have a chance to return to the NBA after regaining his form through the CBA league.

So, although Westbrook and the Kings are currently most likely to join forces, the latter cannot solve the salary problem and does not have a suitable point guard position, so it is basically impossible to achieve what they want. During this period of time, Westbrook may indeed choose to consider joining the CBA League after the All-Star Game.