Mar 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) reacts to a fan during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

'He Won’t be Returning' – Denver Nuggets Will Likely Lose Important Guard This Summer, Claims Analyst

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 7:26 PM ET

ESPN insider Tim MacMahon recently wrote that Russell Westbrook is not expected to return to the Denver Nuggets this year, even if the one-time league MVP was one of the team’s key players last season.

“It appears that Westbrook, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, will play for his sixth franchise in seven seasons,” MacMahon said. “He won’t be returning to the Denver Nuggets after a roller coaster season in which Westbrook finished seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.”

Westbrook was an important bench player for the Denver Nuggets, as he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals on 44.9 percent shooting from the field across 75 regular season games (36 starts) last season.

Mar 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (32) hug during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L. Cox-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets have been one of the most productive teams this offseason , as they traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson and acquired Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown.

Denver Nuggets reportedly signed four-year journeyman to strengthen frontcourt depth

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Denver Nuggets’ bench just got deeper after they agreed to a deal with Kessler Edwards, who played 40 regular season games for the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“The Denver Nuggets and forward Kessler Edwards have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Edwards averaged 4.2 points on 49.6% shooting from the field and 40.7% from 3-point range in 40 games, including 18 starts, for the Dallas Mavericks last season,” Scotto posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

As things stand, Edwards is behind Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Peyton Watson in the pecking order.