Russell Westbrook’s departure from Denver was not Russell Westbrook’s choice, he says.
The Nuggets asked Westbrook to decline his $3.5 million player option this summer, he told reporters Monday night after returning to Ball Arena as a starter for the Sacramento Kings.
“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,” he said. “It ain’t up to me. God always has a plan. Be patient. Not up to me. They don’t want me. That’s OK. Somebody else do.”
Westbrook spent one year with the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his 17th NBA season, largely off the bench as a backup point guard for Jamal Murray. By most measurements, it was his most productive season since entering the role player phase of his Hall of Fame-bound career. He shot 32.3% from 3-point range, his most efficient clip since his 2016-17 MVP season, and a career-best 51.7% from inside the arc.
“I thought it was great,” he said. “I guess other people didn’t.”
The Nuggets underwent an organizational overhaul in the offseason. After firing 10-year coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, they promoted lead assistant David Adelman to the head coach position and appointed two new lead executives to run their front office, Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace. Then Denver traded longtime starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson and made several other changes in free agency.
Former backup center DeAndre Jordan, who spent three seasons in Denver, also indicated last week that he was not wanted back.
Westbrook’s situation was different because he had control over the second (and final) season on his contract. In theory, he could have picked up his player option to stay with the team even if the Nuggets weren’t interested in bringing him back, but he says he didn’t because “they told me not to. I don’t go anywhere I’m not wanted. I don’t need to.” Westbrook signed with Denver during the 2024 offseason.
“Every part of this journey for me is always a positive impact,” he said when asked if he looks back on his year with the Nuggets positively or negatively after the way it ended. “I always take a positive out of everything, regardless of what happened. I’m grateful to be able to play. That’s one thing that’s positive always. I’m grateful to be able to impact people I interact with, the fans, people that work around the arena, people that appreciate me and who I am and what I bring to the table. That to me is always a positive impact for me. The business part of it is what it’s gonna be. It is what it is.”
Westbrook was Sacramento’s leading scorer in a 130-124 loss at Ball Arena on Monday. The former league MVP amassed 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and six turnovers while shooting 10 for 17.
At the game’s first timeout, Nuggets fans treated him to a standing ovation after a tribute video was shown on the jumbotron. He thanked the fans during his postgame comments in the Kings’ locker room.
“He’s the most consistent energy guy I’ve ever been around,” Adelman said before opening tip. “… Huge part of why we won the first round last year against the Clippers. Huge part of some of the defensive things we could do against OKC (in the playoffs). So it’s really cool to see Russ get picked up by them, and just to see the longevity and what he’s done in this unbelievable, magical career he’s had. So he should be in the NBA. It’s good to see him out there competing. Watching him on film reminded me of a lot of things — just the relentlessness of what he is.”
“We had really good chemistry for such a short period of time,” Nikola Jokic said. “He’s a great player. He’s a Hall of Famer. It’s always good to see him on the floor.”
It was only a week before the new NBA season tipped off that Westbrook found his new temporary home with Sacramento. After declining the player option in Denver, months passed as he remained available as one of the most prominent veteran guards on the free agent market. He says he felt comfortable waiting out the offseason while hanging out with his family and traveling.
“I’m grateful for the Kings, and I’m moving forward,” Westbrook said. “Whatever happened in the past happened. It’s OK. Everything happens for a reason. I’m looking forward to the future and finishing out this year.”