Nuggets told Russell Westbrook to decline player option, he says: ‘They didn’t want me’

Russell Westbrook on His Departure from the Denver Nuggets

Russell Westbrook stated that his exit from the Denver Nuggets was not by his own choice. Speaking to reporters Monday night after starting for the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena, he revealed that the Nuggets asked him to decline his $3.5 million player option this summer.

“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,” Westbrook said.

Westbrook’s Performance with the Nuggets

Westbrook spent one season with Denver, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists during his 17th NBA season, mainly playing off the bench as backup point guard behind Jamal Murray. By many measures, it was his best season since transitioning into a role player later in his Hall of Fame-caliber career.

“I thought it was great," Westbrook reflected. "I guess other people didn’t.”

Organizational Changes in Denver

The Nuggets experienced significant changes in the offseason. They dismissed head coach Michael Malone, who had led the team for 10 years, and general manager Calvin Booth. Lead assistant David Adelman was promoted to head coach. The front office also saw new leadership with the appointments of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace as lead executives.

Additionally, Denver traded longtime starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson and made multiple roster adjustments during free agency.

Summary

Westbrook’s departure was driven by the Nuggets’ desire to move on, despite his solid contributions, as the team reshaped its leadership and roster for the future.

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The Denver Post The Denver Post — 2025-11-05

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