The New York Knicks are a clear championship contender, but they are not interested in adding free agent Russell Westbrook.
With the addition of backup point guard Jordan Clarkson, and very little space to maneuver under the highly restrictive second apron, New York is unlikely to pursue Westbrook, who is one of the few marquee names still available.
Westbrook, who will turn 37 in November, reportedly has declined his $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for 2025-26. The nine-time all-NBA player and 2017 MVP has not won a championship over his 17-season career but averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 75 games for Denver last year.
Why Are The Knicks Not Interested in Russell Westbrook?
Westbrook has become something of a Swiss Army Knife role player over the past three seasons. He has finished in the top 10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting, while scoring, rebounding and picking up assists for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and most recently the Nuggets.
It’s clear that Westbrook is chasing a ring, since that is the one final accolade left to accomplish in the future Hall of Famer’s career. The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024-25 and recently replaced Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown, are one of the favorites to win the East and therefore the championship.
But they signed Clarkson, and have point guard Tyler Kolek also on the roster serving as Jalen Brunson’s primary backups. Those two, along with a roster full of All-NBA stars, means the Knicks are reportedly set at their backup point guard spot — even though Bleacher Report NBA writer Eric Pincus suggested New York as a possible landing spot.
“Westbrook was linked to the Kings and New York Knicks early in the free agency market,” Clutch Points NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote Tuesday. “Yet the Knicks opted to sign Jordan Clarkson, and they hold no interest in pursuing the former league MVP, sources said.”
Westbrook played for the veteran minimum in 2024-25, and even though he has made roughly $400 million in his NBA career, he could want to collect a raise.
According to Spotrac, the Knicks are just $3.7 million under the second apron, which would drastically restrict their ability to make trades and sign future free agents.
Who Is Interested In Signing Russell Westbrook?
Siegel added that the point guard market is being held up by Bradley Beal’s potential buyout with the Phoenix Suns, since veteran reserves could end up in Phoenix to replace Beal.
Westbrook seems unlikely to land in Phoenix, since the Suns are reloading and have reportedly been tied to another veteran point guard without a ring, Chris Paul. Though Siegel referenced Westbrook’s tie to Sacramento, the Kings added Dennis Schroder, which could hamper their ability to add Westbrook too.
So even though he just opted out of his deal with the Nuggets, a return to the Mile High City may be Westbrook’s best bet. Though it is likely to add Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver still has about $10 million in space under the second apron.
“Denver needs talent and has minimal spending power,” Pincus wrote. “The 36-year-old may still be the best path forward, and given that not every team is willing to take him on, the Nuggets may be his most obvious opportunity.”
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