Patrick Beverley weighed in on the Nuggets moving away from Russell Westbrook, praising Denver’s decision to prioritize shooters like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. While Westbrook remains a free agent, Beverley believes the Nuggets are building smartly around Jokic.
Russell Westbrook’s offseason just got more complicated — and Patrick Beverley isn’t sugarcoating it.
3-pointers this season
Denver Nuggets
NBA
After declining his player option, Westbrook became a free agent with Denver reportedly still in play. But with the Nuggets adding shooters like Tim Hardaway Jr. and reuniting with Bruce Brown, the writing’s on the wall: Westbrook’s Mile High stint is likely over.
Appearing on the Pat Bev Podcast, Beverley gave his unfiltered take after being asked by co-host Rone about Denver seemingly moving on from the nine-time All-Star.
“That move is going to have them getting off of Russ,” said Rone. “The Kings are making a big push for him.”
Beverley, never shy with his opinions — especially on Westbrook, a former rival-turned-teammate — acknowledged the shift in Denver’s priorities.
“When you add some shooting around [Nikola Jokic] like they have with Tim Hardaway Jr., they added Bruce Brown back... I think Tim Hardaway Jr. is going to light that [expletive] up,” Beverley said.
The context matters. While Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists last season — and played 75 games, including 36 starts — Denver clearly wants more spacing and perimeter firepower next to Jokic.
Beverley and Westbrook once had a fierce feud, stemming from a 2013 playoff collision that injured Russ. The beef cooled when they became teammates on the Lakers, but Beverley’s loyalty to the truth still reigns supreme.
As for Westbrook’s future? Sacramento could be calling — and Denver just made it clear they’re not.
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