Westbrook unsigned as Kings show mutual interest amid overseas offer

Russell Westbrook remains a free agent as the NBA regular season approaches, with mutual interest reported between the veteran guard and the Sacramento Kings even as a lucrative short-term offer from China has emerged and Westbrook’s camp says its priority is to secure another NBA roster spot. Westbrook declined a player option with the Denver Nuggets this offseason and has not agreed to a new contract, leaving his immediate playing future unresolved less than two weeks before the season begins.

League sources and people familiar with the situation say there is strong mutual interest between Westbrook and the Kings, who have an open roster spot and roughly enough payroll flexibility to make a deal work if both sides agree on terms. Sacramento’s bench production ranked near the bottom last season, and team officials have discussed the potential of adding a veteran guard who can provide energy and playmaking off the bench.

At the same time, a Sacramento radio host reported that Westbrook has received an offer from a Chinese Basketball Association team for roughly half a season that would pay about four times what the Kings could currently offer. That report put the potential CBA...