Is Russell Westbrook's Career Over?

It's hard to believe that eight years ago, Russell Westbrook was a top 10 player and an MVP. Now, he's in free agency, and no one seems to want him. The former MVP has garnered very little free agency noise, which is crazy to think about. Westbrook’s peers, such as James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard, still play for other NBA teams. The former MVP seems forgotten, celebrated for his past but not embraced for the future. Why aren’t teams interested in Russ anymore, even though he’s still a good player? And why has he struggled to find a role since 2021?

Russell Westbrook has usually been the first or second option on his team. What helped him was playing alongside strong off-ball players. Paul George, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant can score without the ball. This lets Russ drive to the basket and make plays. Westbrook was able to have the ball for most possessions, which gave him the freedom to be himself. Having role players who knew their roles was key. Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, and Victor Oladipo all played well next to their point guard. Westbrook's game showed some cracks. The front office and coaches had to adjust because he struggled with off-ball play. A prime example is the Houston Rockets. He played alongside James Harden, another ball-dominant player. This led the team to trade Clint Capela and experiment with P.J. Tucker. When the former MVP joined the Lakers, that was when Russ's game showed its cracks.

The two-year players for the Lakers did a lot of damage to Russell Westbrook, as the decline of his play showed. The Los Angeles front office took a bold step. They traded Kyle Kuzma for a former MVP, aiming for another championship. On paper, it seemed like a great deal, forming a possible big three, but it did not pan out as expected. Westbrook and LeBron's styles clash, as both of them need the ball to thrive. Both the team and Russell faced a decline in morale, and it felt like they were limiting each other. After he left the Lakers, it looked like those issues trailed him to the Clippers and Nuggets.

Russell Westbrook became a superstar because of his drive and strong personality. The former MVP drove to the basket with outstanding force. His drives often resulted in a strong finish at the rim or a kick-out pass to a shooter on the perimeter. Westbrook is one of the greatest on-ball players ever. He controls the tempo with his rebounding skills. But as time progressed, the decline started, and it became challenging for the former MVP to find a consistent team. The former MVP is still a quality player, but his lack of ability to adjust to other teams has hurt his value. With the lack of ability to play off-ball, it has hurt his value. Russ was never known to be a shooter and has needed the ball to thrive. Now there are at least three better players on the team, so the ball is less in his hands. and he becomes a negative. Front offices know Russell Westbrook’s name. Still, they think other players fit their systems better.

Many legends fade from the league later in their careers. Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Dwight Howard are key examples. It sucks to see players that were once so celebrated forced to leave the league. As time passes, the spotlight often shifts to younger talent, leaving these once-great athletes to navigate the challenges of retirement. Their contributions to the game, however, remain etched in history, reminding us of their incredible journeys and the impact they had on basketball. The NBA is a business that moves fast, and Russell Westbrook is a victim of that. I hope that the former MVP gets a new team and ends his career on his terms. Russell Westbrook is one of the greatest point guards of all time and should be celebrated as a legend.

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