Russell Westbrook Explains Decision To Leave Denver: 'they Didn't Want Me Back'

Former Nugget and existent Kings defender Russell Westbrook made his return to Denver connected Monday night, but it sounds for illustration he wasn't each excessively jazzed to beryllium there.

Westbrook played for nan Nuggets for nan 2024-25 campaign, but declined his subordinate option successful June and yet landed pinch Sacramento successful free agency.

Speaking aft nan Kings mislaid 130-124 connected Monday, Westbrook clarified his reasons for leaving nan team, which he claims nan beforehand agency fundamentally told him to do.

For starters, he said he thought his twelvemonth pinch nan Nuggets was "great," but that it seemed "other group didn't."

"The truth is they didn't want maine back. Ain't up to me," Westbrook said. "God ever has a plan, beryllium patient. Not up to me. They don't want me, that's O.K. Somebody other do."

Then pressed connected nan truth that he could person exercised nan subordinate action if he wanted, nan defender said, "They told maine not to [pick it up]. I don't spell anyplace I'm not wanted."

Watch that below:

All successful all, it sounds for illustration he's saying he would've returned for different season, but nan beforehand agency urged him not to. Tough.

In his 1 twelvemonth pinch Denver, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists crossed 75 games played (36 starts). He besides came successful beardown during nan playoffs, wherever he played each 13 games disconnected nan chair but still recorded an mean of 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.

Alas, a breakup was still successful nan cards. At slightest he showed his erstwhile squad what they were missing retired connected on Monday, dropping 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists successful what was nevertheless a Sacramento loss. That said, he'll get different chance to effort for a triumph erstwhile nan Kings big nan Nuggets connected Nov. 11.

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