Rockets fans can only laugh at Kings' Russell Westbrook signing

Some rumors linked the Houston Rockets to Russell Westbrook. Now that he's with the Kings, all Rockets fans can do is laugh.

That sounds harsh. Let's be realistic. Westbrook is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he hasn't been very impactful for some time. His limitations can make roster construction challenging:

That was even true in Westbrook's prime.

Rockets fans well-acquainted with new Kings guard

Westbrook spent a solitary season with the Rockets in 2018-19. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. Somehow, it still felt like a disappointing season.

Any Rockets fan should know the team's history with the mercurial point guard. Westbrook wasn't able to play with Clint Capela. They traded him for Robert Covington, made the shift to micro ball, and lost in the Western Conference Semifinals. From there, the Harden era disintegrated.

Westbrook's jumper, coupled with his height, always made him a very difficult piece to fit into a puzzle. That was true even when he was among the most impressive athletes in the NBA:

On a related note, he isn't in that group anymore.

Former Rockets guard isn't what he once was

Last year, Westbrook 13.3 points and 6.1 assists per game. He had a Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of -1.1. He was not very valuable to the Nuggets.

That's why it took so long for him to find a contract. Westbrook's time as a positive rotation player in the NBA is over. If next year isn't his last in the NBA, it will be a surprise.

What's worse is that he's a weak fit with the Kings. They'll be built around Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine. That's a lot of ball dominance, and like everyone else, the Kings can only play with one ball.

Westbrook has always been ball dominant. The Kings' spacing will be suspect, and they so will their defense. This team was already awkwardly constructed, and adding Westbrook only makes matters more complicated.

Had the Rockets signed him it would have been to fill a minimal role. Westbrook would have been a third string point guard. In Sacramento, who knows what role he may play. The Kings may see him as crucial compotent of their 2025-26 season.

That would be unfortunate - for Kings fans. For Rockets fans, it's a laughing matter. Westbrook hasn't been their problem in quite some time:

And that's not going to change this season.