The Russell Westbrook saga has created a storm across the league ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. During the offseason, Westbrook drastically decided to opt out of his player option with the Nuggets. According to sources close to Westbrook and the Denver organization, the team did not plan to play him regularly in the upcoming season.
Now, without any prior options or talks with another NBA team, Westbrook finds himself in no man’s land. As fans, analysts, and players offer their takes on the situation, many have called for a reunion between Westbrook and the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, ten-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony explained why that reunion cannot happen.
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What Did Carmelo Anthony Say About a Russell Westbrook and Thunder Reunion?
The hosts discussed Westbrook’s future in depth on the latest episode of the “7 p.m. in Brooklyn” podcast. When they began to analyze the possibility of a Westbrook-Thunder reunion, Anthony interjected to explain why it would not work.
Anthony said, “There’s a lot of teams that Russ could help. ‘The Oklahoma City Thunder.’ No, he can’t help them, no. They the champs. You cannot bring Russell Westbrook back to OKC and don’t play him. He cannot go from the greatest player in your franchise history to maybe playing or maybe not playing. It doesn’t work. You diminish that man’s legacy by that.”
He added, “Let’s protect the legacies of these players, not somebody who’s been in the league for five years–six years, who went no. This is somebody who’s put in pain, pressure, number one jersey sales, and MVP of the league. Let me finish with that: You are chasing the ring, though now. It’s a difference when chasing a ring, and I still gotta enjoy this game.”
While a Westbrook-Thunder reunion sounds exciting, several contract specifics must be discussed. More importantly, Westbrook’s age and recent performances could be major obstacles for any team showing interest in signing him before the new campaign begins.
How Did Anthony Compare Westbrook’s Situation to Other NBA Stars?
Continuing his argument against a Russ-OKC reunion, Anthony drew parallels to other stars returning to their former teams. “You can’t send the greatest player back. He left and then came back, and then he’s not playing, no. Dame went back to Portland because Dame is gonna come back healthy and play. CP went back to the Clippers because CP is gonna play.”
Anthony explained that the situation would have been different had Westbrook’s intentions been clear from the start. “If he’s [Westbrook] ready to say, ‘Yo Sam Presti, I want to retire here. This is my last year. Let’s do something for this year. Let’s hang the jersey up and build that up.’ Let’s celebrate, let’s make this celebratory for Russ going back to OKC. If he’s going back just to chill.. nah, son.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese basketball league has already made a mammoth offer to sign Westbrook this year. Rumors about the Sacramento Kings showing interest in the free agent have surfaced. The saga will likely continue until Westbrook finds a new team before the season kicks off on October 21.