Russell Westbrook. © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

NBA expert considers two teams as 'top' landing spots for Russell Westbrook if he leaves Nuggets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 11:59 PM ET

Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Friday that future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook is declining his 2025-26 player option with the Denver Nuggets worth $3.5 million.

Westbrook will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He can either re-sign with the Nuggets or sign with a new team.

The 2017 MVP with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook played in 75 games this season for the Nuggets. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.9% from the floor, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 66.1% from the free-throw line.

If Westbrook decides to leave Denver, Adams Wells of Bleacher Report considers two teams as potential landing spots for the UCLA product.

Wells thinks the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are potential landing spots for Westbrook if the veteran doesn't re-sign with the Nuggets.

The Kings and Mavericks need a point guard, which is why Wells named them as "top" landing spots for Westbrook.

Dallas star Kyrie Irving will miss a chunk of next season recovering from his left ACL tear, while Sacramento doesn't have a traditional starting point guard on the roster after trading All-Star De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs this year.

A top-75 player of all time, Westbrook played with Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis on the Thunder and Mavericks All-Star Anthony Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Westbrook has the most triple-doubles in NBA history. He has career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 1,237 NBA games with the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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