Russell Westbrook is currently an unrestricted free agent after spending last season with the Sacramento Kings, making $2.29 million. 

In 64 games, Westbrook averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while shooting 42% from the field and 33% from three. 

The year before joining the Kings, Westbrook played for the Denver Nuggets, where he spent the majority of his time coming off the bench, but still played nearly 28 minutes a night. 

With the Nuggets, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He shot 44% from the field and 32% from three. 

The Nuggets have made minor changes to their roster as they continue to try and settle on a contract with restricted free agent Peyton Watson. 

They have added Marvin Bagley to replace Jonas Valanciunas as the backup center, and they signed Alpha Diallo, the Euroleague Defensive Player of the Year, but someone with zero NBA experience. 

They also re-signed Tyus Jones to return as backup point guard. 

Westbrook might not seem like an option right now, but the Nuggets would be wise to at least consider the thought of bringing him back. 

It was Nikola Jokic who pushed for Denver to sign Westbrook in the 2024 offseason, feeling the team needed a shot in the arm after they lost in the second round to the Minnesota Timberwolves the year before. 

Denver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs in 2025 before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went on to win the championship, in seven games in the second round.

The Nuggets are once again coming off a playoff exit at the hands of the Timberwolves. 

For all of his flaws as a player, be it his lack of outside shooting, turnover tendency, or defensive awareness, Westbrook still brings a 100% compete level that many on Denver seemed to lack in the playoffs. 

Westbrook also showed great chemistry with Jokic in their one season together, posting a +8.4 net rating. Jokic typically raises the floor for any player, but there was a clear trust on the court between the two, as Westbrook is a willing passer in pick-and-roll situations and will push the pace in transition. 

Jones played just 11 games last season, and Denver might have to trade Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson after signing Watson. 

Bringing back Westbrook, who is loved by the franchise superstar and is familiar with the team and the process, is a low-risk move that could pay off.