In a move sending shockwaves through the NBA world, veteran point guard Russell Westbrook has turned down an eye-watering $900 million offer from his former club — instead choosing loyalty, stability, and championship hopes with the Denver Nuggets. The 35-year-old star, who joined Denver midway through last season, has reportedly signed a three-year extension with the defending Western Conference champions, valued at $72 million.
The rejected offer, confirmed by league insiders to be from the Los Angeles Lakers, has stunned fans and analysts alike. Westbrook, who spent a turbulent stint with the Lakers from 2021 to early 2023, has chosen not to return despite the team’s aggressive financial push. The $900 million figure, according to sources, included extensive incentives, branding deals, and ownership options — all part of a broader campaign by the Lakers to reclaim their status among the NBA elite.
Westbrook’s decision comes at a time when loyalty in the NBA is increasingly rare. The Nuggets, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić and sharpshooter Jamal Murray, now look poised to continue their dominance with Westbrook’s explosive playmaking and renewed leadership added to their arsenal. His energy off the bench during the playoffs last season proved pivotal, and Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was vocal about wanting Westbrook to remain a key part of the rotation.
In a press release Thursday morning, Westbrook stated, “The Nuggets gave me the trust, freedom, and respect every player desires. I’ve never felt more locked in with a group. I’m not chasing dollars — I’m chasing rings.”
The announcement has been met with applause from Denver fans, but not everyone is pleased. Lakers supporters have taken to social media to express both confusion and frustration. The team has been on a downward trajectory since its 2020 championship, and management had viewed Westbrook as a potential piece to reignite their title hopes. Team owner Jeanie Buss had reportedly met with Westbrook personally to pitch a reunion centered around unfinished business.
NBA insiders are calling the snub one of the most surprising contract decisions in league history. For a player often labeled “selfish” or “money-hungry” earlier in his career, Westbrook’s choice is being hailed as a defining moment of personal evolution. The former MVP and nine-time All-Star seems to have found a new chapter in Denver that is about legacy rather than dollars.
While some question the Lakers’ decision to risk so much on a player they previously traded amid internal tension, others are lauding Westbrook’s maturity and clarity. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith called it, “The most unselfish, legacy-driven decision we’ve seen from a former superstar in the last decade.”
The implications of this move stretch beyond the two franchises. Westbrook’s decision may signal a shift in how veteran stars approach the twilight of their careers — valuing role, culture, and stability over blockbuster contracts. The Nuggets now boast one of the league’s deepest rosters, and Westbrook’s renewed commitment adds depth, grit, and veteran leadership to a team already hungry for more.
As Denver prepares for the 2025 season, the message is clear: the Nuggets are not done, and neither is Russell Westbrook. In fact, he may just be getting started on his redemption arc — not with a franchise from his past, but with one he now calls home.
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