Russell Westbrook is formally betting on himself once more.
The nine-time All-Star has declined his $3.5 million participant choice with the Denver Nuggets and can turn out to be an unrestricted free agent on June 30, in line with veteran NBA insider Marc Stein.
Which means for the second time in two seasons, Westbrook will enter the open market and whereas a return to Denver isn’t off the desk, his future is up within the air.
Denver’s Russell Westbrook is declining his participant choice for subsequent season to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent on June 30, league sources inform @TheSteinLine.
Extra NBA protection: https://t.co/RG4evmIKfi pic.twitter.com/n53xTbK9EO
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 13, 2025
The 36-year-old performed 75 video games for the Nuggets this previous season, averaging 13.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per recreation.
Within the playoffs, he got here off the bench and contributed 11.7 factors and three.7 rebounds as Denver battled by two seven-game sequence, first in opposition to the Clippers, then in opposition to the Thunder, who ended the Nuggets’ season within the convention semis.
After present process surgical procedure to restore two breaks and a number of ligament tears in his proper hand following the season, Westbrook sounded optimistic in his private publication.
“Grateful for everybody’s help all 12 months and I can’t wait to be again on the market at 100% quickly,” he wrote. “The comeback is already in movement.”
This newest twist is simply one other chapter in Westbrook’s whirlwind post-Thunder journey. Since leaving OKC in 2019, he’s had stints in Houston, Washington, each LA groups, and now Denver. His most up-to-date run within the Mile Excessive Metropolis noticed flashes of classic Russ, excessive vitality, relentless tempo, and nonetheless a nightmare in transition. However it additionally noticed the toll of time and harm.
Westbrook’s resume speaks for itself: MVP in 2017, 9 All-NBA choices, and a spot on the NBA’s seventy fifth Anniversary Crew. He’s averaged 21.2 factors and eight assists per recreation over 17 seasons.
With free company simply weeks away, the query turns into: who’s able to roll the cube on some of the electrical level guards in league historical past?
Or perhaps the Nuggets convey him again on a brand new deal.
Both manner, one factor’s clear: Russell Westbrook isn’t accomplished but.
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