Parsons fired off this message amid the Sacramento Kings' struggles with the perennial NBA All-Star.
Russell Westbrook spent his career playing for multiple NBA playoff contenders as a nine-time All-Star. The makeup of the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings prevents him from playing for one more playoff team -- with their dismal 12-44 record.
Chandler Parsons sees the setup the Kings have made with Westbrook. The FanDuel Sports Network analyst and former NBA player then fired off some fiery advice to the past Most Valuable Player.
"How the hell are you there? Get the hell out of there and go somewhere where at least you're valued and can compete to win," Parsons suggested on "Run it Back."
The Kings under general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie have created a building process. However, their approach emphasizes dialing in on younger talent...with Westbrook happening to be on the same roster.
Even with this approach, Parsons observed a larger picture that the Kings created.
"A lot of these guys aren't going to be on the team next year anyway," Parsons said. "So the development and the stuff involving them...it doesn't matter."
He even believed the Kings should trade their entire team right now -- yet continued to zero in on Westbrook and his role with a younger squad. Parsons suggested either take a contract buyout or force a cut, since the Kings continue to unravel.
"You play basketball to win," Parsons said. "There are like seven teams playing to lose [including the Kings]."
Westbrook is averaging 15.3 points per game. He's also dishing out 6.6 assists a night while grabbing 5.7 rebounds per contest. He didn't play against the Utah Jazz before the NBA All-Star break due to foot soreness.
Still, the Kings have visibly set up a culture where winning is taking a step backwards, but development is at the forefront. Westbrook, at 37 years of age, is already past the developmental aspect of his career. The Kings' Perry/Christie formula is better suited for players who haven't been in the league for up to four seasons. But it's not designed for Westbrook...and he's not alone here.
DeMar DeRozan is another widely successful NBA veteran who's enduring the stacks of losses here. DeRozan, though, rose as a trade deadline contender before talks never materialized.
Domantas Sabonis is another multiple all-star who heard trade chatter but remains in place. Sabonis joins DeRozan and Westbrook as veterans enduring this rigid process out in the state capitol of California.
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