"He asked what I was wearing tomorrow" - Russell Westbrook after being asked about his player option after Game 7 loss vs. OKC

Yahoo

a day ago

After losing Game 7 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets' season ended with another second-round exit, their second straight since winning the championship in 2023. As a result, the organization is expected to make significant roster changes this summer.
The Nuggets stirred things up right before the playoffs with the firings of head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. And while many argue they've gotten the best out of their current roster, forcing a Game 7 against the best regular-season team in the Association, they can't risk "wasting" another year of Nikola Jokic's prime.
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Several roster-related speculations have been making the rounds, including Russell Westbrook's future in Denver. The former MVP will soon be entering his 18th year.
The Game 7 loss marked another disappointing playoff exit for Westbrook, raising doubts about what lay ahead for him. Fresh off an elimination to the Thunder, "Mr. Triple-Double" was asked about his player option, which didn't sit well with him.
"Tried to get Russell Westbrook in the locker room to see he had made a decision on his player option for next season. He looked at his watch and asked what I was wearing tomorrow. When I said I didn't know, he said 'exactly' and walked off. Nuggets aren't doing exit interviews," tweeted Nuggets beat writer Vinny Benedetto after the game.
Another volatile series for Westbrook
In what many thought was "Brodie's" closest shot at winning a championship, the 6'4" guard suffered another postseason blow. Westbrook also deserves a part of the blame for it, given his inconsistencies during the recent playoffs. This is evident from his -92 plus/minus in the recently concluded semifinals against the OKC Thunder.
Russ did have some big moments, though, especially during the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers. He also brought the energy any time he was on the floor against OKC. However, the 36-year-old wasn't consistent enough as Denver's go-to guy off the bench, especially in the second series.
Player option for the 2025-26 season
After being traded from OKC in 2019, "Brodie" has been shuffling between several teams, with the Nuggets being his fifth squad in the last five years. The veteran guard struggled to find his footing on the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers despite agreeing to come off the bench.
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Russ enters the offseason with a $3.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. If he decides to move on, he'll probably look to sign for another contending team — the 36-year-old has shown he can be a valuable asset despite inconsistencies.
Going into his 18th year in the league, "Mr. Triple-Double" is yet to win the ultimate crown. That said, the recent years have brought heavy scrutiny and hate against Russ, something many deem unnecessary to a large extent.
The veteran guard's ability to contribute at multiple levels is often disregarded, especially given the effort he gives every time he's on the floor. That's why he can still be a valuable piece for a good team. Whether that's the Nuggets remains to be seen.
Related: "Smoked them like a fresh pack of Newport shorts" - Perkins reacts to Thunder's blowout Game 7 win over the Nuggets