BREAKING: Russell Westbrook is on thin ice with Nuggets as option decision awaits
There’s no telling what will happen with Westbrook.
With the Denver Nuggets’ season now concluded, one big question remains concerning Russell Westbrook: Will he be back with this squad next year? As of right now, it’s difficult to say. However, his performance in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder doesn’t exactly bode well for him remaining a Nugget next season.
Let’s remind ourselves just how Westbrook became a Nugget in the first place. After an up and down season with the LA Clippers in 2023-24, Russ was a good value signing at just $6.8 million over two seasons, with a player option for the second season.
There weren’t a whole lot of expectations for Westbrook coming into the season, but there was an optimistic hope that he would shine playing alongside Nikola Jokic. As the season went along, that was the exact result that we saw come to fruition. Playing off ball most of the time Russ’ talents were able to truly shine.
He was even a major asset for Denver in the first round against his former team in the Clippers. In that series, we got the best of Russ.
Whether Westbrook returns to Denver is up in the air
But as is typical of the Russell Westbrook experience, that flipped in the second round, and we sort of got the worst of Russ in the seven games with OKC. Against the Thunder, Westbrook’s play was not nearly as solid. His averages dropped from 13.8 points on 43% shooting in round 1 to 9.9 points on 34.8% shooting in round two.
With a less than triumphant showing in the final few games of the Nuggets’ season, it left many wondering what Westbrook’s future would be with this team. After Game 7, Russ was asked if he had made a decision on his player option for next season.
In typical Westbrook fashion, his answer was in the form of another question. “What are you wearing tomorrow?” he asked. The reporter asking the question said simply “I don’t know,” to which Westbrook responded “Exactly.”
It’s unclear what move Russ will make exactly. He will have a $3.4 million player option for next season, which he may accept later this summer if he hasn’t gotten any new offers from any other teams. However, if interest in him around the league is low, there’s a good chance he picks up that option and comes back to Denver for one more season.