Russell Westbrook Explains His Departure from Denver
After a long offseason filled with uncertainty, Russell Westbrook found a new team with the Sacramento Kings, starting his 18th NBA season there. He revealed that leaving the Denver Nuggets was not his choice.
Player Option and Departure
Westbrook had the option to remain with the Nuggets for the 2025–26 season thanks to a player option included in his 2024 one-year contract. However, upon returning to Denver on Monday to face his former team, he disclosed the true reason behind not exercising that option.
“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,” Westbrook said, as reported by The Denver Post.
Performance and Team Decision
During Monday’s game versus the Nuggets, Westbrook impressed with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. He had been experiencing a career revival in Denver as a backup, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
Despite his solid contributions, Denver chose to pursue a different direction.
“I thought it was great,” Westbrook said about his season in Denver. “I guess other people didn’t.”
Westbrook's Perspective on His Journey
When reflecting on his year with the Nuggets, Westbrook maintained a positive outlook:
“Every part of this journey for me is always a positive impact.”
His experience underscores both his resilience and willingness to embrace new opportunities in his ongoing career.
Author’s summary: Russell Westbrook left the Denver Nuggets because the team chose not to retain him despite his strong performance, highlighting his positive attitude toward every chapter of his career.