Report: Nuggets G Russell Westbrook declining option

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook plans to decline his $3.47 million player option for next season, ESPN reported on Friday.

The decision would make the 36-year-old veteran a free agent on June 30. The nine-time All-Star is coming off surgery last month to repair two breaks to his right hand.

Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games (36 starts) in his first season with the Nuggets in 2024-25.

The two-time NBA scoring champion and 2016-17 league MVP boasts career averages of 21.2 points, 8.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds in 1,237 games (1,075 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets.

Westbrook is the all-time leader in triple-doubles (203) and ranks eighth in NBA history in assists (9,925) and 23rd in points (26,205) but is still seeking his first championship.