Russell Westbrook has never been known to sugarcoat his words and he wasn’t about to start now. Following the Denver Nuggets’ crushing Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals, Westbrook was asked about his plans for next season regarding his $3.4 million player option. His response quickly went viral.
A reporter casually asked, “Have you made a decision on your player option for next season?”
Westbrook, without missing a beat, looked down at his watch and replied: “What are you wearing tomorrow?”
Caught off guard, the reporter responded, “I don’t know.”
Westbrook grinned, leaned back, and delivered the knockout line: “Exactly.”
Then walked off the podium without saying another word.
It was classic Russ: defiant, unpredictable, and entertaining. But beneath the mic-drop moment lies a serious question: Should the Nuggets bring him back?
Westbrook, 36, signed with Denver on a two-year deal last summer in hopes of chasing another title alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In the regular season, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three, solid numbers for a veteran sixth man.
However, the playoffs told a different story. Westbrook’s production dipped to 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and just 2.6 assists per game on 39.1% shooting from the field and a brutal 31.7% from deep. His performance in the series against Oklahoma City was especially glaring.
Across the seven games, Westbrook finished with a staggering -92 plus/minus, the worst on the team. He averaged just 9.9 points while shooting 34.8% overall and a woeful 21.9% from beyond the arc. His 2.6 turnovers per game nearly canceled out his assists, and his decision-making in crunch time became a liability.
In Games 4 and 5, where the Nuggets blew double-digit fourth-quarter leads, Oklahoma City exploited Westbrook’s well-documented shooting struggles.
The Thunder gave him ample space, daring him to shoot, and he obliged, clanking key shots late in both contests. It was a clear blueprint: pack the paint, help off Russ, and trust that he wouldn’t make them pay.
Despite that, Westbrook’s competitive fire and energy were undeniable. He brought leadership, pace, and physicality to Denver’s bench unit. But in a league increasingly reliant on spacing and efficient scoring, his fit alongside a ball-dominant center like Jokić was always questionable.
With Westbrook turning 37 next season and the Nuggets already tight against the cap, his $3.4 million player option is no longer a no-brainer. Denver will need to evaluate whether his passion outweighs the spacing concerns that were exposed repeatedly in the postseason.
For now, Westbrook isn’t giving away anything. His curt response was vintage Russ, dismissive of outside noise, unbothered by public speculation, and firm in his refusal to be boxed into a decision on someone else’s terms.
Whether he opts in or out, one thing is certain: Russell Westbrook is going to do it his way.
