17-year NBA veteran Russell Westbrook is declining the option year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Sports network ESPN posted the news on BlueSky today:
Breaking: Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has declined his $3.4M player option for next season and will become a free agent on June 30, a source told Shams Charania.
Westbrook joined the Denver Nuggets at the start of last season, hoping to return them to their championship form of 2023 after the departure of several key members of the roster. He played 75 games, starting 36. In 27.6 minutes per game he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.9% from the floor, 32.3% from the three-point arc.
The 36-year-old guard has played for six teams in his career. He spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has also played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers.