Kendrick Perkins Believes Russell Westbrook Should be With Milwaukee Bucks

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins spoke about Russell Westbrook and said that the Milwaukee Bucks should sign him. The 2025-26 NBA preseason goes on in full swing, but Westbrook somehow still remains without a team. One of the most accomplished stars of the league, Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, a former MVP, as well as the member of the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.

He comes off a decent season with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. Westbrook guided the side to the Western Conference semifinals before being eliminated by the OKC Thunder in seven games. Despite having such a productive season, his future in the league is hanging by a thread.

However, amidst all the ongoing free-agency drama, his former teammate Kendrick Perkins suggested that the Milwaukee Bucks should call Westbrook. “From reports, the only team that showed interest was Sacramento,” Perkins said on RoadTrippin’ Podcast.

“Now the season has started and Russell Westbrook is not on the roster. Do I believe he should be? Absolutely. I think he should be on the Milwaukee Bucks right now. But the reality is, for the first time in probably 15 years, Russell Westbrook is not on a roster.”

Kendrick Perkins Recalls Russell Westbrook’s Stint with Los Angeles Lakers

Kendrick Perkins recalled Russell Westbrook’s disastrous stint with the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2021 to 2023 season. In 2021, the former MVP was traded to the Lakers in the third trade of his career. Despite joining stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis on court, he couldn’t make the most of his time with the purple and gold. There was a lot of discussion about his behavior as well, and once he left the franchise, Westbrook was labeled as a vampire in the Lakers room.

Talking about the same, Perkins said, “This very situation, this moment right here that we’re in, Russell Westbrook not being on the roster, is what hurt me and Russell Westbrook’s personal relationship.”

Kendrick Perkins reveals how Russell Westbrook cut him off in his life and ended his friendship with Perk:

“About three or four years ago, when he was on the Lakers’ roster, I said on TV
‘Russ has to be careful. Word around the league is, if he doesn’t temper it down, he might… pic.twitter.com/W0u1NsoYe4

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 3, 2025

“Sometime three, four years ago, when he was on the Lakers roster, reports came back to me from general managers around the league, and I said it on television, that ‘Hey man, Russ got to be careful now…Word around the league is that if he don’t be careful, temper it down, he might find himself out of the league.’”

The 36-year-old remains one of the biggest names in free agency right now, and it is to be seen where he finally lands before the deadline.

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.

Kendrick Perkins Believes Russell Westbrook Should be With Milwaukee Bucks

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