Few players in NBA history spark debate quite like the Nuggets Russell Westbrook. The 2016-17 MVP still has differing opinions from basketball fans around the world. To some, Westbrook embodies the passion, toughness, and relentless energy of a bygone NBA era — an emotional leader unfairly scapegoated by the mainstream media and past franchises, and fanbases like the Lakers.
To others, he’s a player propped up by an outdated obsession with traditional boxscore stats and the illusion of intensity. They believe in reality, he brings inconsistent performances, shaky defense, and offensive flaws. They become especially glaring in high-level playoff series.
During his postseason run with the Nuggets, Westbrook showed flashes of brilliance. In the end though, the typical question marks have arisen around the 36-year-old.
Should the Nuggets Continue with Russell Westbrook?
On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer. For much of the regular season, Westbrook was one of the few bright spots for a Nuggets team that otherwise had a disappointing year.
During his stint in Denver, he arguably played some of his best basketball in years. He received more genuine appreciation than he had in some time. While his box score numbers weren’t as eye-catching as in past seasons, his impact on winning basketball felt more meaningful.
On paper, the fit looks ideal, and there’s little reason the Nuggets shouldn’t consider extending the partnership for another season. But reality complicates the picture. Several teams, both in the NBA and abroad, specifically Hapoel Tel Aviv who will play in the EuroLeague in the upcoming season, have shown interest in Westbrook. That makes it unclear if he will remain in the Mile High City.
A Postseason With a lot of Pros and Cons
There’s no denying that Westbrook delivered several impactful moments during the playoffs. His energy was infectious, and he gave Denver’s second unit a much-needed spark off the bench. On paper, a series against the Thunder seemed like the perfect opportunity for him to be an X-factor. His defensive versatility — particularly his ability to guard above his size — should have made him effective against non-postup bigs like Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein on switches. Offensively, Oklahoma City’s disciplined defense was always going to exploit his lack of shooting. His playmaking and ability to deliver tough post-entry passes could have made him a potentially valuable contributor on offense even if he were to struggle with his shooting.
But in the end, he fell short of those expectations. Within Denver’s zone-heavy defensive scheme, Westbrook’s impact with potential switches was not really a factor. On offense, the Thunder capitalized on his shooting struggles, clogging the paint and sending extra defenders at Nikola Jokic. That gave him even less space to operate in, which also took away potential cutting opportunities.
Russell Westbrook was Denver’s Most Reliable Bench Contributor
Despite his flaws however, Westbrook was the Nuggets’ most consistent and impactful bench player throughout both the regular season and the playoffs. But that says more about Denver’s lack of depth than it does about Westbrook’s ability at this point in time. In truth, he would thrive far more in a second unit with better spacing and more offensive weapons. That kind of environment would allow his playmaking, arguably his greatest strength, to truly shine.
As mentioned earlier, his value as a passer was essential for the Nuggets throughout the year. At times, he was the only player consistently capable of delivering accurate post-entry passes to Jokic, an ability Denver cannot afford to overlook. That was probably one of the major reasons the Serbian superstar wanted the Nuggets to sign Westbrook in the offseason.
The real problem was not the player, but the elevated role he had to take on for the Nuggets. Ideally, he’d be the primary playmaker in a second unit with a lot of offensive firepower, like the one Denver had during its 2023 title run. In that kind of setting, the Nuggets could maximize what the point guard does well while minimizing the impact of his limitations.
Why not Repeat the KCP/Braun Model?
While the Nuggets have promising young guards in Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett, neither is ready to be a reliable contributor on a team with championship aspirations. What Denver should aim to replicate is the model they had with Christian Braun and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — a balance of veteran stability under which a talented young player can gradually develop. In that context, Westbrook could serve as a bridge. He is a proven veteran who can handle meaningful minutes while allowing players like Strawther and Pickett to grow behind him, without being thrown into high-pressure roles too soon.
Strawther showed flashes of his offensive talent, particularly in Game 6 against the Thunder. He also revealed he’s not yet ready to contribute consistently at a high level though. His struggles were especially evident in Game 7 and throughout the rest of the postseason, where opponents consistently targeted him on defense, exposing both his inexperience and limitations. Neither Strawther nor Pickett are as NBA-ready as Braun was at the start of this past season. The Nuggets would be wise not to elevate them into positions they are not ready for too soon.
Conclusion for Westbrook’s Offseason
The Nuggets should look to bring Russell Westbrook back this offseason — but not as the sixth man by default. Instead, he should be part of a broader effort to reshape and strengthen the bench, creating a more balanced and reliable second unit with more offensive firepower. His leadership, playmaking, and bursts of energy still hold real value, especially for this Nuggets team.
It’s also important not to overlook the strong chemistry Westbrook developed with Jokic. The three-time MVP’s brilliance helped mask some of Westbrook’s weaknesses, particularly his tendency toward risky decision-making, which frequently lead to frustrating turnovers. Few players on a veteran minimum deal can bring as much impact as Westbrook did through his sheer talent and experience. It would be a shame to see that partnership end after just one season.
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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