Russell Westbrook's Top NBA Free Agency Landing Spots After Nuggets Contract Opt-Out

Russell Westbrook reportedly is entering free agency for the third consecutive offseason after opting out of his contract with the Denver Nuggets.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Westbrook declined his $3.5 million player option for next season.

Given how well Westbrook played for the Nuggets, it's not a surprise to see him enter the market. He rebuilt some of his value after averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game in 75 appearances this season.

This isn't shaping up to be a particularly deep free-agent class, so Westbrook has an opportunity to secure a nice contract if that's what he is seeking. The nine-time All-Star could also search the market for a chance to compete for a title on a low-cost deal.

Here are the top potential landing spots for Westbrook looking ahead to the start of the legal tampering period on June 30.

Denver Nuggets

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The pairing of Westbrook and the Nuggets worked out well, so why not just run it back?

One of the reasons that Westbrook landed in Denver last summer was because Nikola Jokić was pushing to play with the former MVP. There aren't a lot of higher compliments that could be paid to Westbrook than that.

Denver's three-man lineup with Westbrook, Jokić and Jamal Murray had a 124.4 offensive rating in 681 minutes during the regular season. For comparison, it was better than the Indiana Pacers' trio of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith in 586 minutes (123.6).

Westbrook also had some good moments during the postseason. He averaged 13.8 points on 41.9 percent three-point shooting in Denver's first-round series win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Nuggets are also somewhat limited in what they can do this offseason, though their flexibility could change if Michael Porter Jr. ($38.3 million salary in 2025-26) gets traded this summer.

Westbrook's not going to break the bank no matter where he signs. If the Nuggets can bring him back for the veteran minimum ($3.6 million), we know his fit with Jokić works well enough to help the team win games.

Dallas Mavericks

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The Mavericks almost certainly have to add a point guard this offseason. Kyrie Irving is expected to be out until at least January after tearing his ACL against the Sacramento Kings on March 3.

Irving also has a $43 million player option in his contract for next season, but Mavs general manager Nico Harrison has said in no uncertain terms he expects the nine-time All-Star back either on a new deal or playing out the final year of his current deal.

There's certainly an argument that Westbrook wouldn't be an ideal fit in Dallas. The team owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, which will almost certainly be used to add Cooper Flagg.

Everything the Mavs do next season has to be about building up Flagg to be their franchise player, assuming he is their pick.

Westbrook's ball-dominant style of play doesn't necessarily lend itself to player development. He did adjust that style a bit this season, but the Mavs don't have anyone taking up as much attention from opposing defenses as the Nuggets do with Jokić.

If Irving remains on track to return in January, adding Westbrook as a short-term starting point guard before shifting him to the bench wouldn't be a bad use of resources for the Mavericks assuming they could sign him for the minimum.

Sacramento Kings

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Kings fans have had it rough for a lot of reasons, but one of the most distressing has to be watching Tyrese Haliburton turn in one of the greatest clutch-time postseasons ever for an Indiana Pacers team in the NBA Finals.

Even though Haliburton was traded from the Kings to Indiana three years ago, the wound still has to be raw when you watch what he's doing. It's only made worse because the point guard they kept instead of Haliburton, De'Aaron Fox, is also gone after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in February.

This is just a very mean way (sorry, Kings fans) of saying Sacramento can use some help in the backcourt. Zach LaVine is going to be starting at shooting guard after being acquired as part of the Fox trade.

Keon Ellis was the primary starting point guard after Fox was moved, but the offense runs through Domantas Sabonis.

This would actually make Westbrook a good fit for their team because Sabonis' ability as a passer is similar to Jokić's, though no one would argue the Kings center is as good as the three-time MVP.

It's hard to figure out exactly what the Kings are trying to do with their roster, but if we assume they want to try competing for a playoff spot after a 40-42 record this season, adding Westbrook to boost their offense wouldn't be a bad idea.