Russell Westbrook on His Departure from the Denver Nuggets
Russell Westbrook says his exit from the Denver Nuggets was not his decision. After returning to Ball Arena as a starter for the Sacramento Kings, he revealed on Monday night 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 During His Time with the Nuggets
Westbrook spent one season with the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in his 17th NBA season. He primarily came off the bench as a backup point guard for Jamal Murray. Statistically, it was one of his most productive seasons since transitioning into a role player phase of his Hall of Fame career.
- He shot 32.3% from three-point range, his best since the 2016-17 MVP season.
- He recorded a career-best 51.7% shooting accuracy inside the arc.
“I thought it was great,” Westbrook added. “I guess other people didn't.”
Nuggets’ Organizational Changes
The Nuggets underwent significant changes in the offseason. They fired their 10-year head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. Lead assistant David Adelman was promoted to head coach, while Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace took over key front office roles.
The team also made roster moves, including trading longtime starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson and making other free agency adjustments.
Summary
Westbrook’s exit from Denver was driven by the team’s decision during an offseason overhaul, despite his solid contributions on the court.
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