Old Video Sparks Russell Westbrook Speculation After Big Career Decision
Old Video Sparks Russell Westbrook Speculation After Big Career Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Russell Westbrook spent this past season with the Denver Nuggets, the first year of his two-year, $6.8 million deal. He averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game while making a winning impact for the Nuggets.
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The 36-year-old is entering the offseason with a player option after playing on his fifth team since being traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019.
Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and MVP winner, is well beyond his physical prime, yet this past season was arguably his best impact on winning since his time with the Houston Rockets.
According to Marc Stein, Westbrook is set to decline his player option with the Nuggets, leaving him to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1.
The all-time guard made it quite clear this season that he can still make a winning impact in the NBA. His intensity and effort, along with experience in the league, are reason enough for him to be on a roster.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4).© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Could a return to the Thunder finally be in the cards? After an interaction between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Westbrook during the NBA Playoffs surfaced on social media, speculation of a potential return for the all-time guard to Oklahoma City was swirling.
Westbrook will be 37-years-old next season. He is nearing the end of his playing career. He spent 11 incredible seasons with the Thunder, showing loyalty and being a franchise talent.
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There is a bond between Westbrook, the city and the Thunder that will never go away.
Finishing his career on the bench with the Thunder might be the best way for Westbrook to end his career. Evidently, not many minutes, if any, would be available for the guard.
The former pairing might just end with a one-day contract being signed when Westbrook is ready to retire, but the speculation will continue to swirl for very obvious reasons.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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