The Denver Nuggets' core roster is already slated to look a bit different in 2025-26, and the 2024-25 NBA offseason hasn't even officially begun just yet.
Denver majority owner Josh Kroenke shockingly fired both 10-year head coach Michael Malone and championship general manager Calvin Booth with just days remaining in the Nuggets' regular season, replacing them with interim head coach David Adelman and interim GM Ben Tazer.
While Adelman has shaken the interim sticker and will serve as the Nuggets' long-term head coaching option, Tazer's status is more tenuous, even with the 2025 NBA Draft and free agency now just weeks away.
The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and pushed the NBA Finals-bound Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in their second round playoff encounter. Denver was severely hampered by that seventh semifinal contest, with starting forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon striving to play through major injuries.
Adelman's rotations were fairly limited, and he had to lean on erratic or unproven bench players to add a spark. Eventually, the Nuggets' luck ran out.
One of those bench pieces appears to be ready to move on.
Former nine-time All-Star and 2017 league MVP Russell Westbrook will reportedly decline his $3.47 million player option for next year and instead explore unrestricted free agency, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via Substack).
Westbrook, 36, had until June 29 to make a decision on the second year of the two-season deal he had agreed to with Denver last summer.
Denver’s Russell Westbrook is declining his player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 13, 2025
More NBA coverage: https://t.co/RG4evmIKfi pic.twitter.com/n53xTbK9EO
The 6-foot-4 UCLA alum is now slated to join potentially his seventh NBA franchise across the last eight seasons.
Still, there's a chance Westbrook could stick around.
He averaged solid numbers off the bench for Denver, while staying healthy throughout the regular season and playoffs.
Across 75 available regular season bouts, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points on a .449/.323/.661 slash line, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 swipes. In reduced playing time, those numbers shrank a bit during the postseason. He averaged 11.7 points on inefficient shooting splits of .391/.317/.700, along with 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists (against 2.3 turnovers), and 0.9 steals.
The biggest issues with Westbrook are his inclination to hold the ball for too long (especially on a team with elite creators like three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray), his inconsistent off-ball effort, his poor jump-shooting, and his disengaged defense. He may have some value as an eighth man, especially in the regular season, but giving him significant playoff minutes at this stage is risky.
Bobby Marks of ESPN unpacks how Denver's cap situation benefits from Westbrook's reported decision.
Denver is $10.6M below the second apron for next season with Russell Westbrook declining his $3.4M option.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 13, 2025
- 12 players under contract
- Flexibility to use the $5.7M tax ML and sign 2 players to the veteran minimum
- If Westbrook re-signed with Denver or another team, the cap…
The Nuggets are understandably desperate to help Jokic win his second title with the franchise after two disappointing second round playoff exits. Denver thankfully now has some breathing room below the NBA's harshly punitive second luxury tax apron, with 12 players currently signed.
The team can now use its $5.7 taxpayer mid-level exception, a mechanism that would have been unavailable to Denver as a second apron team, and two veteran minimum slots to add new talent around its core of Jokic, Murray and Gordon.
Key swingman Christian Braun is still on his rookie-scale contract at present, but will become extension-eligible this summer, and could fetch a major raise. But the Nuggets can worry about what a likely-pricey Braun deal kicking in for 2025-26 will do to their payroll later. For now, the team should focus on affordable help for Jokic, and perhaps sniff around possible Porter trade packages.
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After doing exactly zilch in free agency thus far, the Golden State Warriors may be the most interesting club left on the board. The team is still in the midst of negotiations on a new deal with restricted free agent power forward Jonathan Kuminga, although it appears that both Golden State and Kuminga may benefit from a divorce by way of a sign-and-trade. When it comes to free agency, the Warriors clearly still need center help, and there are a few seasoned vets available, plus some trade options. Golden State is also apparently seeking more backcourt depth. More news: Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider Boston Celtics champion power forward/center Al Horford's decision making, meanwhile, has helped create a cooling effect for the rest of the NBA's free agent frenzy, with several decorated veterans still very much in play. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reveals that Horford has only been connected with one team at this point in the summer. Free agent shooting guard De'Anthony Melton, who was only traded away from Golden State to the Brooklyn Nets last season after suffering a season-ending partial ACL tear, is expected to return to the team this year. But Kuminga is putting a cramp in their styles. More news: Former Celtics Champion Gets Exciting New Gig "The main reason Horford and Melton, or any other player, have yet to sign with the Warriors is because of Kuminga's holdout," Siegel explains. "If the Dubs were to agree to multiple contracts right now, they would inch closer to the tax apron and basically take away their ability to match a potential offer sheet that could come in from another team for Kuminga." Because Horford is the best free agent big man on the market, however, his signing also appears to be pausing the fates of the lesser power forwards and centers available. "If, by some chance, Horford decides he no longer wants to wait on the Warriors and he ultimately retires or joins another team, Trey Lyles and Chris Boucher would become backup plans for this team. Until Horford signs, these two are forced to wait in free agency. Golden State is the only team being linked to Horford at this juncture, especially after Summer League," Siegel writes. More news: Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward Celtics Called Out for Trading Away Former First-Round Draft Pick For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.