Last Updated:June 14, 2025, 22:21 IST
Despite injuries, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this past season for the Nuggets.
Russell Westbrook with the Denver Nuggets (X)
Russell Westbrook will not be taking up his $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for the upcoming season and will become a free agent, according to reports.
This decision doesn’t rule out the possibility of Westbrook returning to the Nuggets, the source explained, as neither side has made the decision public yet.
NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported Westbrook’s decision, which was subsequently confirmed by ESPN and The Denver Post, among others.
This season, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists for the Nuggets — his 17th season in the NBA.
The Nuggets, at the end of their season, were gassed, gobbled up by injuries — Aaron Gordon played on one leg — and saddled with depleted depth.
Still, they made it deep into the playoffs, all the way into Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the roaring OKC Thunder, to be exact, where they ultimately were outdone by the brilliance of the SGA-led squad in a 125-93 romp.
Westbrook, who was seen playing through the playoffs with heavily bandaged fingers, confirmed everyone’s suspicions, revealing that he had indeed played through with injury.
After the season, Westbrook had surgery to repair multiple ligament tears in his right hand, an injury he had played through. At the time, he expressed his gratitude for the support he received throughout the year in his newsletter, stating, “I can’t wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion.”
This suggests that he plans to play somewhere next season.
Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, a nine-time All-NBA selection, and the MVP of the 2016-17 season. He is also part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team and has averaged 21.2 points and eight assists per game over his career.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!First Published:News sports Russell Westbrook Declines Denver Nuggets’ $3.5M Player Option, Becomes Free Agent: Report