Danny Green On Why Russell Westbrook Did Not Stay In Denver

During his time with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook was a decent role player within the system. He had good chemistry with the rest of the team, but he was not the best fit for the franchise.

Although the Nuggets players enjoyed playing with him, the front office felt he was not the right fit, as evidenced by their current roster construction. The Sacramento Kings were heavily linked to Westbrook in the summer, but the deal did not materialize.

Green's Analysis of Westbrook Not Re-Signing with Denver

The most peculiar point of Westbrook's situation is that he had a player option for the 2025-26 season. He declined it, which could have meant that he had another plan in the works

Sacramento's interest in him was probably the biggest news for him, but it did not materialize. He underwent surgeries in May, which could have played a factor in any team's lack of interest.

Former three-time champion Danny Green believes that Westbrook would not have played at all if he stayed with Denver. That could have possibly played a role in Westbrook's decision to decline the final year of his deal.

"I thought he had something guaranteed or already in the books, like somebody is interested. From what I heard, they were not planning to play him at all this year, even behind the guys, he should be certainly above," Green said on his Inside The Green Room podcast.

"I feel like Russ is more out of pocket for opting out of his contract and not having one in place already. You still take the guarantee. Make them trade you, whatever... Unless you know for sure that you have somebody in place."

Westbrook Might Have an Opportunity Outside the NBA

Jason Ross, one of the hosts of the Carmichael Dave Show, had The Athletic's Sam Amick on the show on Thursday, October 9. On that show, the host discussed Westbrook potentially getting a contract from a team in the Chinese Basketball Association.

"I heard something from someone I trust enough not to blow off what they said: he may have an offer in China for about half a season, and it’s damn near quadruple what the Kings could offer him," Ross said on the show.

Amick said that it was a piece of news he was not aware of. It might be speculation for some, but there is a precedent for prominent NBA players to move to China to play in the CBA.

Names like Stephon Marbury and DeMarcus Cousins are good examples that Amick also provided. Despite all those rumors, it looks like Westbrook is still holding out for an NBA opportunity.

Some people want him to join the Houston Rockets, especially since they don't have Fred VanVleet for the 2025-26 season. It would make for an interesting reunion between Westbrook and Kevin Durant, which could be another headline piece of news.