Danny Green reveals the real reason Russell Westbrook left the Denver Nuggets

What the Denver Nuggets told Russell Westbrook that made him opt out

Despite having a better year as a role player with the Nuggets than many expected, Denver didn’t plan to play Westbrook at all in 2025-26. That wasn’t something Westbrook could accept, according to Green.

He said on the Inside The Green Room podcast, “I thought he had something guaranteed or something already in the books, like somebody is interested. For you to opt out, from what I heard, they were not planning on playing him at all this year. Even behind certain guys that he should be above.”

Green went on to point out that Westbrook made a huge error by leaving Denver without having another team lined up.

The three-time NBA champion continued, “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. You take the guaranteed money unless you know for sure that you have somebody in place.

“You’ve got to accept the role of being on the bench and grooming these guys. I think if Russ is ok with that, he can definitely be on one of those teams.

“But most guys that are in that field, they have an ego and are now superstars, are not able to take a back seat at the end of their careers and say, ‘I’m willing to not play at all and just help these young guys grow.’ So that’s why it’s tougher for him.

“That’s why Russ is more out of pocket than GMs are for opting out without having something in hand.”

Danny Green says if Russell Westbrook deserves a place in the NBA

There was some interest in Westbrook this offseason despite him not being able to find a team. The Sacramento Kings wanted to sign Westbrook, but they were never able to make the necessary cap space in order to get the move done. 

He looks unlikely to have a roster spot in the NBA for the start of the season, and it was reported that Westbrook has an offer to play in China instead.

Green said that it’s unfortunate that he couldn’t find a way back to the Thunder, where he started his career, especially after the Portland Trail Blazers re-signed Damian Lillard this summer. 

He said, “Everyone wants the Damian Lillard love, but not everybody is going to get it. Well, go back to your old place and at least get a minimum. Dame’s getting like $14 million. You can’t even get a minimum at the place you called home, which is tough. It’s a tough business. 

“Do I think he’s deserving of a roster spot? Absolutely. But once you’re over 35, you’re viewed as old.

“And it’s crazy for me to call old guys old because I don’t think I’m old in real life. But in basketball years, young guys call me a dinosaur. These guys that are 25 and up, if you are not Steph Curry or KD and still playing at an All-Star level, it’s harder to hold on.”

It looks increasingly likely that Westbrook’s NBA career is over. And would mean opting out of his contract in Denver could prove to be one of the biggest blunders in the league’s history.