NBA Scout Says Nuggets Should Cut Russell Westbrook: ‘Russ Needs To Retire’

October 28, 2024

The Denver Nuggets are 0-2 and NBA legend Russell Westbrook has struggled mightily with his new team.

Westbrook, 35, is averaging 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 turnovers while shooting 11.1% from the field, 11.1% from beyond the arc and 50.0% from the free-throw line through two games.

A future Hall of Famer, Westbrook has a plus-minus of -37 this season and one NBA scout believes the Nuggets need to make a drastic move.

“They need to cut Russ,” the NBA scout told Hoops Wire. “He can’t shoot. They have no spacing when he’s on the court. Teams are literally daring him to shoot and just crowding Jokic in the paint. And when he drives to the rim, he gets so deep and out of position that he can’t hit layups. Russ needs to retire. He’s not a good player anymore.”

The Nuggets signed Westbrook to a two-year, $6.8 million contract in July. Westbrook is making $3.3 million this season. He has a player option worth $3.5 million for next season.

The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 for the Los Angeles Clippers while shooting 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc and 68.8% from the foul line.

The Clippers had to convince Westbrook to come off the bench after acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. According to NBA reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints, it wasn’t an easy process.

Per NBA reporter Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic endorsed the idea of the Nuggets acquiring Westbrook, but so far, the move has looked bad.

Denver faces the Toronto Raptors tonight (10/28). If Westbrook struggles again and the Nuggets lose to a rebuilding Raptors team, things could get ugly in Denver.

One of the top players in NBA history, Westbrook has career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. He won the 2016-17 MVP Award with the Thunder.