NBA Swing: Has the NBA Moved on From Russell Westbrook?

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As the NBA moves closer to the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season, training camps are just weeks away. One of the biggest stories of the offseason has been free agency, with numerous restricted free agents still waiting to sign new deals. One of the biggest free agents remaining on the market is an unrestricted free agent in Russell Westbrook. Westbrook would decline his $3.4 million player option in late June ahead of free agency. In his lone season in Denver, Westbrook would average 13.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, and 4.9 RPG in 75 games.

Since being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder following the 2018-19 season, Westbrook has quickly transitioned from superstar to journeyman. He would have a strong season in Houston before being traded to the Washington Wizards. In Washington, Westbrook would average a triple-double for the fourth time, averaging 22.2 PPG, 11.7 APG, and 11.5 RPG in 65 games.

Westbrook would then be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that would affect his career in the worst way possible. In his first season with the Lakers, Westbrook would average 18.5 PPG, 7.1 APG, and 7.4 RPG in 78 games, all starts. The Lakers would go 33-49, with most of the blame being put on Westbrook. His stats would nearly drop across the board the next season with the Lakers, averaging 15.9 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 6.4 RPG, and would be traded and waived before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers for the rest of the season. His stats would continue to drop in his only full seasons with the Clippers before joining Denver.

Now, instead of heading into year 18 on a roster, there are questions of whether Westbrook will be on an NBA roster next season or if his time in the league is over. While numerous rumors over the summer have suggested the Sacramento Kings are the only team interested in Westbrook, recent reports have noted the Kings are hesitant to sign the veteran guard as they have interest in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Even championship contenders are not interested in the former MVP.

Earlier in the summer, it was rumored that there could be interest in Westbrook by the EuroLeague. Rumors suggested Hapoel Tel Aviv could have interest in Westbrook and were planning on offering him one of the biggest contracts in league history, but Tel Aviv shut down those rumors in July, saying they never approached him.

With the CBA hamstringing teams and priorities shifting towards developing young players, Westbrook’s future is unknown. Nearing the age of 37, Westbrook is not the player he was even a few seasons ago. Despite being near the end of his career, Westbrook can still be a valuable player to bolster or lead a second unit. Some, however, have criticized Westbrook for being like several other players who would not accept a reduced role near or at the end of their career. He has been compared to names like Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, who saw their careers end earlier or on a sour note as they did not want to accept a reduced role at times.

While it’s unlikely this is the end of Westbrook’s NBA career, his resume would be Hall of Fame worthy if it were the end of his NBA career. In 17 seasons, Westbrook has played 1,237 regular-season games (42nd all-time), scored 26,205 points (23rd all-time), has 9,925 assists (8th all-time), and leads the NBA in all-time triple-doubles with 203. He would finish as a one-time MVP and both a nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA.