Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision
Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former nine-time All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, most recently a reserve with the Denver Nuggets, has made a decision when it comes to his potential free agency this season.
Advertisement
The 6-foot-4 UCLA product remains shockingly athletic, even at the relatively advanced age of 36. He may no longer be in MVP conversations, but the now-well-traveled veteran guard proved to be a critical-if-erratic contributor to Denver during the banged-up club's run to a seven-game Western Conference semifinals playoff series loss against the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook's first team, this spring.
Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) moves the ball up court against the Clippers.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Westbrook inked a two-year deal to leave his hometown L.A. Clippers and join the Nuggets during the 2024 offseason. He had a $3.5 million player option on his contract for 2025-26. By June 29, Westbrook needed to decide whether or not he would pick it up or decline and enter free agency.
Now, sources inform Marc Stein of Substack that the 2017 MVP has decided how to proceed with regards to that option.
Advertisement
Per Stein, Westbrook will decline the option and enter unrestricted free agency yet again this summer.
As he's aged out of his prime, the former superstar has often been criticized for his ball stopping and late-game decision making.
Still, as a reserve eating up minutes on a good team (provided he's not playing at the ends of close contests), Westbrook could be a useful asset to a contender as an end-of-rotation bench guard.
Is he angling for maximal money, say something in the range of a bi-annual exception (estimated to be worth around $5.1 million next year, per Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors)? Does Westbrook prefer long-term security, even if it's a multi-year veteran's minimum deal? Or is his priority trying to achieve his first championship?
Advertisement
Time will tell.
Now, fans are reacting to Stein's report.
X user @KevonLooneyMuse joked, "He should go to the Lakers. Would be a great fit," a seeming wink to Westbrook's unhappy year and a half with Los Angeles' other NBA franchise from 2021-23.
"His world tour continues," observed @DatHandsomeJerk. Westbrook has played for six franchises across his past seven NBA seasons.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cameras Catch Rory McIlroy Meltdown at Oakmont Club in US Open
Cameras Catch Rory McIlroy Meltdown at Oakmont Club in US Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Cameras in the grandstands and on broadcasting towers were rolling as Rory McIlroy reached his breaking point during the second round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Advertisement After misplacing his drive at the drivable par‑4 17th, McIlroy spun around in frustration and unleashed a powerful swing, obliterating the white tee marker with his driver. The outburst quickly went viral on social media, underscoring just how punishing Oakmont can be. He was not the only one; several others, like Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry, also lost their cool during the event. Despite that meltdown and an earlier club‑throw on the par‑5 12th, McIlroy rallied when it mattered most. After flirting with disaster through much of his round, he rolled in a clutch five‑foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to card a 72 and squeeze past the cutline at six‑over par. Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the 12th tee during the first round.© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images "This should be at least a fine if not further penalty. He has played a tough Open and performed poorly before so this emotion isn't new." A fan commented. Advertisement "Was glad to see him get the slam but hard to root for a guy who behaves like this" Another said. "Good thing he won at Augusta cuz my man does not handle failure any better than a petulant child." One fan posted. "Classless behavior from Rory McIlroy. Don't judge someone's character from how they act in victory, judge it by how they act in defeat. Rory has no class." Another wrote. "My kids are happily watching the US Open and just saw Rory McIlroy destroy the tee marker. They are scarred for life, asked me to turn it off. What a terrible example he just set" A fan expressed. Advertisement "For someone who's carried the PGA Tour's banner. Rory McIlroy's recent behavior, media silence, outbursts, board drama, feels off. Not a great look. ⛳️👀" Another said. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I pushed my wife away, I pushed my kids away, I was a jerk" - Battier admits depression almost ruined his life after he retired from the NBA
"I pushed my wife away, I pushed my kids away, I was a jerk" - Battier admits depression almost ruined his life after he retired from the NBA originally appeared on Basketball Network. Basketball was everything to Shane Battier, and so when his career ended, Battier was lost. Although Shane had everything he needed to live comfortably for the rest of his life — money, fame, friends and family — not being part of a team and competing for a greater goal almost drove him crazy and ruined everything he had worked so hard for. Advertisement It all began during his final year in the NBA when Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra started sitting him on the bench during the fourth quarter of games. In the 2014 Playoffs, Battier averaged just 2.3 points per game in 12.6 minutes of playing time. It was worse in the 2014 NBA Finals, where the former Blue Devil played just 33 minutes and scored only five points. "Nothing was worse to me than sitting me in crunch time," admitted Battier during an appearance on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast. "That was my identity. It hurt me to my core. That's when I knew I was done. I was embarrassed, and I checked out. And so when I retired, I was very cynical. And I was so sad, but I was also very cynical." Shane struggled after retirement And so, after being "told without being told" that the Heat's best chances to win would be with him on the bench rather than on the court, Battier retired following Miami's loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals. Immediately, he an offer from ESPN to be one of the network's men's college basketball analysts. Advertisement Looking back, Shane says that was a big mistake. Although the job was still about basketball, it wasn't the one the 6'8"forward was used to and not the one he truly wanted. Without the passion for what he was doing, Battier struggled on TV and was criticized. Instead of finding the relevance and purpose that he was looking for in retirement, it only made his internal struggles worse to the point that they were starting to affect his personal relationships. "I shut people out," Shane continued. "I was probably battling depression. I didn't know what depression was. I never had this feeling before. But feeling very isolated. I didn't feel anyone understood what I was going through. I felt very alone, and I pushed people away. I pushed my wife away; I pushed my kids away. And I was just a jerk. And I wasn't like doing destructive things, It wasn't like I was drinking every night. But I was emotionally unavailable. And I was hurt, and I was pissed off. I had all these emotions I had never associated with basketball." Related: "God, if you let me get through this, I won't play no more" - Larry Bird describes the moment that made him retire for good Being part of a basketball team again Shane quit ESPN towards the end of 2015, and over a year later, the Heat hired him as Director of Basketball Development and Analytics. Suddenly, with an opportunity to be part of a team — his former NBA team at that — and compete for a championship, even though in a different capacity, Battier started to find his way back before his depression destroyed his life. Advertisement However, in a surprise move, the Birmingham native resigned last year and opted to take a non-basketball position as strategic assistant to Heat CEO and close friend Nick Arison. Shane and his family also left Florida to start a new life in Charlotte. However, it wasn't because of anything negative; it was because Battier was ready to explore new things. "There is so much in life to experience and try my hand at," he said. "So many interesting people around the world. I'm so fascinated about learning. I turned 46, and I feel I have so much to learn and have so much to do in the world still. I needed to go out and explore, and meet and learn. I wanted to learn new industries. It sounds very strange because I love basketball. For me to be truly happy, that's what I need to do." Aside from him and his wife Heidi running his "Battier Take Charge" foundation, Shane has been busy being a professional speaker, podcast host, and most importantly, a sports dad to 16-year-old Zeke, whom he enrolled at Charlotte's Providence Day School and is now a 6'7" promising talent. Shane's 13-year-old daughter, Eloise, is also a youth soccer player in Charlotte, so it's safe to say Battier has his life back and is living it to the fullest. Related: "I would not be able to sleep" - Shane Battier calls out players in the NBA today for missing playoff games This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"The face of the NBA comes with other s**t, it ain't just awards" - Nick Young explains why Shai Gilgeous Alexander isn't the face of the NBA
"The face of the NBA comes with other s**t, it ain't just awards" - Nick Young explains why Shai Gilgeous Alexander isn't the face of the NBA originally appeared on Basketball Network. The 2024-25 season has been nothing short of spectacular for Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Not only did he lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and win the league MVP by topping the charts in scoring, but he also guided his team to the NBA Finals by overcoming formidable opponents like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. It has become clear that he has positioned himself as one of the leading faces of the NBA. However, former NBA player Nick Young doesn't see it that way. Advertisement According to him, despite SGA's success, the Thunder's brand of basketball - and Shai's own aura - still comes off as 'boring,' making it hard for fans to feel compelled to tune in regularly. Nick Young denies SGA being the face of the NBA Even with Nikola Jokic, himself a three-time MVP, posting another historic season, SGA's consistent offensive brilliance stole the spotlight. He led the entire league in 20, 30, 40, and 50-point games during the regular season and ultimately captured the MVP trophy. His postseason consistency only added to his case, as he steered the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade. Still, Young remains unconvinced. Despite Gilgeous Alexander's dominance, the three-time All-Star, in Young's opinion, lacks the charismatic pull that draws fans in droves. For Young, SGA's quiet demeanor and OKC's low-profile market presence don't align with what people typically associate with the 'face of the league.' Advertisement "He's ballin'. I'm not saying he's not ballin'," Young said on the 'Gil's Arena' show. "I'm not denying his talent. But the face of the NBA comes with other sh*t it ain't just awards… it's boring. OKC is boring. The NBA Finals is boring. If it was (the actual) face, everybody would be happy to tune in to watch that sh*t. KD - people are happy to watch him. You have to play him against ni**as people want to see. I'm tryna say it's not exciting." SGA needs to do more to be the face of the NBA There's no denying that Shai's performance this season has earned him a spot among the league's elite and that his All-NBA First Team selection is entirely justified. But individual excellence alone doesn't always suffice in the broader conversation about superstardom. To truly transcend and capture the imagination of the basketball world, a player must deliver moments that elevate the sport - and leading this young Thunder squad to a championship would do just that. Advertisement While it may seem harsh that the 2018 NBA champ instantly dismissed the 6'6" shooting guard case despite having a historical campaign, the pressure is now on Shai to silence his critics. With the Thunder losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals in a heartbreaking fashion, the path to greatness or certified stardom will now depend on how he pulls himself together and plays even higher in the forthcoming games. Related: Kevin Garnett discusses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic's unexpected rise to stardom: "The most underrated under-the-radar players" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
