After a strong bounce back season for Russell Westbrook with the Denver Nuggets, the veteran point guard is drawing interest from teams around the NBA.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line Substack, Westbrook is a possible point guard option for the Sacramento Kings.
The Pistons, meanwhile, are strongly expected to focus on signing Caris LeVert away from the Hawks while Sacramento — as we’ve been reporting for days — is widely expected to come to terms with Detroit’s Dennis Schröder on a deal that some are projecting to run for two years and inch toward the $30 million range to become the Kings’ starting point guard.
Sources say that the Kings, furthermore, are believed to be weighing a run at an additional veteran ballhandler such as Russell Westbrook or Malcolm Brogdon even if they succeed in sealing a deal with Schröder.
The point guard carousel around the NBA appears to be spinning quickly as it often does. With veterans like Chris Paul, D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones, and Malcom Brogdon looking for new homes, Westbrook will have stiff competition in finding the right spot. Younger guards like Tre Jones, Tre Mann, and Kevin Porter Jr. are also expected to command interest around the league.
Westbrook, for his part, was productive for the Nuggets in just under 28 minutes per game, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while slightly improving his shooting efficiency. Though multiple torn ligaments in his shooting hand disrupted what was shaping up to be a strong playoff run, he showed he could be counted upon on both ends of the floor for the Nuggets, elevating his game and those around him frequently.
The messaging from sources close to the Nuggets is that they were happy with Westbrook’s contributions, yet also content if he decides to move elsewhere.
If Westbrook leaves, he would be taking over 2,400 regular season and playoff minutes with him, as well as the statistical production to match. That means the Nuggets would need to have a plan in case of his departure. Whether that means the backup point guard spot is in Jalen Pickett’s hands or if the Nuggets try and find a new backup ballhandler is another matter entirely.
After draft night, the new Nuggets front office featuring Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer emphasized the need to improve Denver’s depth, bench scoring, bench shooting, and point-of-attack defense. Westbrook would check a couple of those boxes at the cost of true floor spacing, but the impression I get is that the Nuggets are considering other alternatives in the remaking of their bench unit around an elite starting five.
Whatever the case, it will be interesting to track Westbrook’s suitors in free agency, whether he ends up back with the Nuggets, or if a wildcard team pops up to sign the veteran point guard.
