Russell Westbrook, Celtics Report Surfaces After Major Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 4:14 PM ET

Even though he's approaching his late-30s, Russell Westbrook is coming off a pretty impressive postseason. The Denver Nuggets pushed Westbrook's former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to the brink of elimination, and he had something to do with how they got that far.

Westbrook opted out of his deal with the Nuggets to enter free agency (via Marc Stein), and his playoff performance will likely play a role in him having a strong market in free agency. His suitors will likely be playoff contenders who could use what he provides, even if he's not the player he once was in OKC.

The Boston Celtics could be one of Westbrook's suitors. They will enter the 2025-26 season without Jayson Tatum, but still have a playoff core. Westbrook could help them hold the fort until Tatum returns, whether he returns next season or not.

Mile High Sports' Ryan Blackburn listed Boston as one of Westbrook's suitors this offseason, though they weren't the only team.

"Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks (Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard out for season due to injuries) would be high up the list of possible landing spots, as well as the Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, and even Boston Celtics in need of a short term fix," Blackburn wrote.

NEW: Why Russell Westbrook declined his player option and where he and the Nuggets go from here...

For @MileHighSports https://t.co/qJbiOBECiF
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) June 13, 2025

Westbrook could also be an emergency starter, as the Celtics want to get under the NBA's second tax apron and may have to trade Jrue Holiday to do that. Westbrook isn't the same player as Holiday, but he could replace some of what Holiday does in his own unique way.

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

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