Nuggets' Russell Westbrook to decline player option, enter free agency, source says

Bennett Durando, The Denver Post on Jun 13, 2025

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DENVER — Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook is expected to decline his $3.5 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, a league source told The Denver Post on Friday, confirming a report by league insider Marc Stein.

Westbrook, 36, signed with Denver last summer at the veteran minimum for two years, with a player option on the second. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his 17th NBA season, largely off the Nuggets’ 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 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.

The Nuggets have three open roster spots this offseason with Westbrook entering free agency, in addition to DeAndre Jordan and Vlatko Cancar, both of whom were only on vet minimum contracts. Because the vet minimum pay scale is set to increase, Westbrook could re-sign a new, similar contract with Denver that would improve his salary.

Or he can seek more than the minimum, which the Nuggets are not well positioned to offer him. Denver has not yet hired a head of basketball operations to replace former general manager Calvin Booth, and its roster payroll is in range of the second luxury tax apron.

Westbrook underwent hand surgery in late May to repair multiple torn ligaments after an up-and-down playoff run. His timely shot-making and hustle players were a vital part of Denver’s first-round series win over the Clippers in seven games. He struggled more against Oklahoma City as the second round wore on.

Westbrook had until June 29 to reach a decision about his player option. After the season ended, he told reporters in the Nuggets’ locker room that he hadn’t made up his mind yet, after circling the room to say his potential farewells to each of his teammates. If he’s indeed gone next season, Jalen Pickett is the in-house option to replace him on the depth chart at backup point guard.

Denver could seek another experienced ball-handler in free agency as well. As with most bench players, Westbrook often excelled when sharing the floor with star center Nikola Jokic but struggled when spearheading the second unit.

Reserve big man Dario Saric also has a player option with a June 29 deadline, but he is expected to exercise that option, which is worth $5.4 million, sources told The Post in April.