There are just 12 days left before the 2025-26 NBA season officially tips off. It promises to be an exciting one, but for the first time since 2008, it will start without one of the league’s most exciting players. Russell Westbrook declined his $3.4 million player option with the Denver Nuggets and hasn’t signed with another team yet.
The former MVP seemed to have found a crucial role alongside Nikola Jokic in Denver. Although the team went out in the second round against eventual champions OKC Thunder, Westbrook proved he’s still a contributor at the highest level. His decision not to renew with the Nuggets came as a shock to most fans, but the reason has now been revealed.
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Russell Westbrook reportedly opted out of his contract with the Nuggets because Denver had no plans to include him in the rotation and intended to keep him at the end of the bench, per @DGreen_14
“From what I heard is that they were not planning on to play him at all this year,… pic.twitter.com/4zSKYPZYJl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 10, 2025
“I thought he had something guaranteed, like something in the books, like somebody’s interested. For you to opt out, when from what I heard they were not planning to play him at all this year, even behind certain guys that he should be above,” 3-time NBA champion Danny Green claimed on his podcast.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
“I feel Russ is more out of pocket with opting out of his contract and not having one in place already. You still take the guarantee, you still make them trade you, whatever. Take the guaranteed money unless you know for sure that you have somebody in place.”
Russ averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game off the bench for Denver last season. He has enough gas in the tank to be a contributor for several NBA teams. Kevin Durant recently said he hopes that Westbrook gets on a team soon, and he likely will. It’s just about who can offer him the most minutes.
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