Russell Westbrook’s time with the Denver Nuggets appears over.
The veteran guard delivered solid production during the regular season but faltered when it mattered most in the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With speculation mounting about Bruce Brown’s potential return to the Nuggets, Westbrook’s future with the franchise looks increasingly uncertain.
A recent report suggests a championship contender would have interest in the former NBA MVP.
“Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the [New York] Knicks … league sources tell Jake Fischer and me,” insider Marc Stein wrote on X.
Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the Knicks and Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.
LOTS more here in this What We’re Hearing compilation as the 6 PM ET bell draws near: https://t.co/bZDtCeAViL pic.twitter.com/sgJ9aSIgjY
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2025
The Knicks find themselves needing backcourt reinforcements this offseason.
Their bench ranked last in scoring, a glaring weakness that contributed significantly to their championship aspirations falling short in the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Indiana Pacers exposed just how thin the rotation truly was.
Westbrook could represent an upgrade over current options like Delon Wright and Cameron Payne.
While other teams, including the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves, could have an interest in Westbrook, New York offers something particularly appealing.
The Knicks can provide a defined role with legitimate minutes in a competitive environment.
At 36 years old, Westbrook has moved well past his peak but demonstrated throughout this season that he remains a valuable contributor.
In 75 games with Denver, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Those numbers suggest he still possesses the ability to play winning basketball when deployed properly in the right system.
NEXT: Knicks Will Reportedly ‘Check In’ On Longtime Celtics Veteran
