On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Given the rising state of the NBA salary cap, it only made sense that Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook would decline his player option, regardless of whether he returned to Denver or not. After playing this past season on a veteran's minimum contract, Westbrook will now enter free agency, with no telling if a return to Denver is wanted by both sides, especially with personnel changes going on.
This past season with the Nuggets, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while being a crucial part of their seven-game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Even though Westbrook can very well hang in the NBA, a report had come out that European club Hapoel Tel Aviv had extended him a lucrative offer. However, that team came forward to address that report.
Hapoel Tel Aviv says they have zero interest in Russell Westbrook
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
“To be serious – it’s not true. There was no interest, and no one approached him.”
(h/t @TalkBasket ) pic.twitter.com/iCLiidZNW2
“That’s 100% fake news,” Hapoel Tel Aviv GM George Hinas said bluntly. “There were numbers mentioned, $50 million per year, which is crazy...To be serious – it’s not true. There was no interest, and no one approached him.”
That report about the record-setting contract offer upset fans in the NBA, hoping that Westbrook wouldn't end his career overseas and get the proper send-off he deserves. As a likely Hall of Famer, seeing Westbrook leave the NBA while still being a servicable option would've been rough.
Breaking: Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has declined his $3.4M player option for next season and will become a free agent on June 30, a source told @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/No7oZWS53X
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2025
As mentioned, Denver may very well not be Westbrook's home next season. With reports of Bruce Brown being a top target and perhaps the team looking to increase Jalen Pickett's minutes, Westbrook might be on the move yet again this offseason, but not overseas.
More must-reads:
- Bulls sign HC Billy Donovan to multiyear extension
- Nikola Jokic’s agent sparks LeBron James to Denver speculation with Instagram post
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Jalen Brunson Reacts To Milwaukee Bucks Signing 10-Year NBA Veteran
Myles Turner had spent the first ten seasons of his career playing for the Indiana Pacers. Last year, the former Texas star helped lead the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. However, Turner shockingly signed with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. Via ESPN's Shams Charania (on July 1): " Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner." One person who reacted to the signing was New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson (via Roommates Show). Brunson: "I thought the Myles Turner thing was like weird... You know what's crazy about that? I feel like he was on the trading block like every year... It was like that for at least five, six years." Turner finished his final year in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest while shooting 48.1% from the field and 39.6% from the three-point range in 72 games. He was the 11th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. As for Brunson, he led the Knicks to the 2025 Eastern Confernece finals They lost to Turner and the Pacers (in six games). Brunson (who has been with New York for three seasons) had averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest while shooting 48.8% from the field and 38.3% from the three-point range in 65 games.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Ichiro had the most backhanded compliment for Marlins during Hall of Fame speech
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers gushes about his mystery wife in new interview
Aaron Rodgers has managed to keep the identity of his new wife a secret, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is certainly not hiding his feelings about her. Rodgers spoke about his wife during an interview with NFL Network at Steelers training camp this week. The 41-year-old had no problem being candid about how thankful he is to have met the mystery woman. “When you meet the right one and you’re with the right one, your whole world changes in a second. To have that person that unconditionally loves you behind the scenes, there’s no better feeling in the world,” Rodgers said. “And I’ve got the most incredible wife. I just really love her. I’m so thankful to have her by my side at the end. When you have that stability and that rock behind you at the house, you feel like you can do anything.” Rodgers first revealed in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last December that he had a girlfriend named Brittani. We are unsure of the exact spelling of the woman’s name, but Rodgers specified that she was “Brittani with an ‘I’” when he brought it up. Then in April, Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was in a “serious relationship” and had some off-field things consuming him. He had left open the possibility of retiring at the time. Shortly after that, Rodgers was spotted wearing what appeared to be a wedding band on his left ring finger. The former MVP confirmed after signing with the Steelers that he has been married since earlier this year. Rodgers seems determined to have his wife’s identity remain a mystery, but he still wants everyone to know how important she is to his life.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
