Once again, we’ve come to a common offseason theme regarding Russell Westbrook, but this time, it’s his Denver Nuggets future. A summer ago, it was his future with the Los Angeles Clippers. A couple of summers before that, the Washington Wizards. In the mix, Westbrook spent a few minutes of forgettable time with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded midseason in 2023. Since his Hall of Fame tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook has become a journeyman—a strange thing to say given his overall status as an NBA superstar. Yet, bouncing from team to team earns you the “journeyman” label. Unfortunately, that label may live on depending on Westbrook’s status with the Nuggets and how the offseason plays out.
Russell Westbrook’s Unconvincing Playoffs May Impact Nuggets Future
Another uncertain offseason awaits Russell Westbrook; Denver Nuggets future and player-option in the air
When the NBA season began, Westbrook’s chemistry with Nikola Jokić started off on solid footing. The assists were piling up, the passes underneath the basket were amassing points, and the fit on Denver appeared solid. During the regular season, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. As the fifth or sixth option on the team, those statistics aren’t that bad. For the most part, Westbrook did his job. However, things took a turn for the worse when it came time for the playoffs.
In two rounds against the Clippers and Thunder, Westbrook’s stats tumbled: 9.9 points on 34.8% from the field, and 21.9% from three. His shooting percentage was significantly less than the regular season numbers. On top of that, he dropped to 2.4 assists and committed 2.6 turnovers per game. Everything contrasts starkly from the regular season, where Westbrook genuinely contributed. In the postseason, he was -92 plus/minus overall. Considering Westbrook’s poor playoff showings, it begs the question: What comes next for him? Again, the theme for the future Hall of Fame player continues.
Player option: Yes? No?
What leverage Westbrook does hold this summer is his player option. One year of his two-year, $6.8 million deal is now complete. Should he opt in for his second, we could see him remain with the Nuggets. Should he decline, Westbrook will head into next year’s offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Of course, Denver also has decisions to make this summer, and where Westbrook falls into it will play a role.
The lack of free agents Denver has to contend with this summer works in their favor, big picture. Still, it is expected they will make some changes regarding their roster. If Westbrook had performed at the level he did during the 82-game season, the Nuggets might be hoping he opts in. Now, that hope might have shifted after the postseason. What happens next for the former MVP should be a key development in Denver as they recover from a disappointing seven-game series loss. Will Westbrook want to stick it out with the Nuggets for one more run? Or will this offseason conjure up other plans? Time will tell.
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