Before joining the Sacramento Kings this year, Russell Westbrook was having a solid 2024-25 campaign as the Denver Nuggets’ sixth man. According to the one-time league MVP, his surprising decision to decline his $3.5 million player option to leave the team was not his choice.
“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,” Westbrook explained via The Denver Post. “It ain’t up to me. God always has a plan. Be patient. Not up to me. They don’t want me. That’s OK. Somebody else do… I don’t go anywhere I’m not wanted. I don’t need to.”
“I always take a positive out of everything, regardless of what happened. I’m grateful to be able to play. That’s one thing that’s positive, always. I’m grateful to be able to impact people I interact with, the fans, people that work around the arena, people that appreciate me and who I am, and what I bring to the table. That to me is always a positive impact for me. The business part of it is what it’s gonna be. It is what it is,” he added.
In his first game back at the Ball Arena, Westbrook put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 10-for-17 shooting from the field in the Sacramento Kings’ 130-124 defeat against the Denver Nuggets. The nine-time NBA All-Star also received a video tribute and a standing ovation from the fans.
Denver Nuggets News: Nikola Jokic and David Adelman pay tribute to Russell Westbrook
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman and center Nikola Jokic took turns reflecting on their short time with Russell Westbrook, and they had nothing but kind words for the former fourth overall pick.
“He’s the most consistent energy guy I’ve ever been around,” Adelman said of Westbrook. “It’s really cool to see Russ get picked up by them, and just to see the longevity and what he’s done in this unbelievable, magical career he’s had. So he should be in the NBA. It’s good to see him out there competing. Watching him on film reminded me of a lot of things — just the relentlessness of what he is.”
“We had really good chemistry for such a short period of time,” Jokic said. “He’s a great player. He’s a Hall of Famer. It’s always good to see him on the floor.”
