Westbrook is completely free and ready to be the highest paid player in Europe

Former MVP Westbrook, 36 years old, is about to join the free market again! The 9-time All-Star has officially rejected the player option worth $3.5 million next season and is expected to become a full free agent on June 30 local time, ending his Nuggets career for just one season. It was previously reported that European giants Tel Aviv Sharp wanted to offer an unprecedented offer to recruit him.

Westbrook has played 75 games for the Nuggets this season, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals from the takeaway. He also served as the backcourt leader of the second lineup in the playoffs. He still averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Although he was far from his peak, he still showed his veteran value. Westbrook underwent repair surgery for two fractures on his right hand after the season and is expected to return to the team before training camp. After Westbrook jumped out of the contract, there are still 12 people in the Nuggets who are still in the team. The team's salary is still $10.6 million away from the second level of luxury tax threshold. It is expected to further build a more competitive lineup around the 3rd annual MVP Jokic and the main controller Murray.

Westbrook left the Thunder for 11 years after the end of the 2018-19 season, and then stayed with the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers and the Nuggets this season. He joined the Clippers in the mid-2023 season and performed well with the second-time FMVP Leonard. However, after former Thunder teammate Harden joined, he was unable to achieve the expected benefits. In the end, he was traded to the Jazz, and was immediately laid off and then signed by the Nuggets.

Westbrook, who entered his later career, has become increasingly likely to move abroad. Tel Aviv Sharp is interested in offering a big contract to recruit him, making him the highest-paid player in Europe. The team just won the first European Cup championship in the team's history this season. In order to consolidate its position, it seems to intend to offer an unprecedented offer to recruit Westbrook.