From declining his $3.5 million player option with the Nuggets in June to still being a free agent. Many former stars and even current players like Kevin Durant have voiced that Russell Westbrook deserves another chance to write his own ending in the league. Currently, only the Sacramento Kings remain a viable option, but let’s not forget that there is significant interest from overseas. The former MVP will reportedly get ‘Quadruple’ of the salary he can get from the Kings. So, is the 9x All-Star interested?

Marc Stein added on his Substack. Russell Westbrook has zero interest in playing overseas, as his focus is playing in the NBA. “There has been ‘zero discussion’ to date about him weighing interest to play abroad this season, league sources say. He’d naturally generate a slew of overseas offers if he was open to them, but I’m told that securing his next NBA opportunity has been the focus for Westbrook’s camp. Even if that means, as it increasingly appears, options fail to materialize until after the 2025-26 regular season starts on Oct. 21.”

Less than two weeks before the 2025-26 regular season tips off, the 17-year veteran is still looking for a home in the league. Recently, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that there was a “strong” mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. This was right after their forward Keegan Murray suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

With Murray set to undergo surgery and be out for approximately 4–6 weeks, this provides a lifeline for Russ to still play in the NBA. Now, let’s look at the sizeable contract from the Chinese Basketball Association, which became breaking news.

It was  Sacramento radio host Carmichael Dave who reported, “He may have an offer in China for about half a season, and it’s damn near quadruple what the Kings could offer him.”

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With no NBA offers, many players in the past, like Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, among others, have played abroad. This allows them to get paid while they continue to showcase their hooping skills.

That’s why playing in China became a headline for Russell Westbrook, as other NBA teams like the Bucks, Kings, and Rockets might have shown interest, none have made a firm offer.

Is Russell Westbrook to be blamed for his choices?

Carmelo Anthony, speaking on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, voiced concern over how the NBA landscape is treating veterans like Westbrook, urging perspective on the former MVP’s enduring value while acknowledging the harsh realities of aging in the league.

“We all have to adapt. It’s a hard transition to adapt, especially when you’re being forced to adapt,” Anthony said. “It’s different when you’re allowed to adapt as you go. The corners that you’ve got to turn in this part of your career are very unfortunate. I don’t want to say unfair, but unfortunate. You’ve got to go through this.”

Anthony’s words underscore the emotional toll of reinvention. “He cannot go from the greatest player in franchise history to maybe playing or maybe not,” he added, reflecting a sentiment that hits close to home. Still unsigned for a reserve point guard role, he is caught in the league’s growing preference for youth and fit over pedigree.

Russ’s situation mirrors a broader pattern- the slow fade of high-mileage stars unwilling to accept smaller roles. Anthony himself experienced that transition firsthand, ultimately retiring in 2023 after facing similar circumstances.

His commentary serves as both empathy and warning: adaptation is no longer optional for aging stars, no matter their resume. For Russ- a player who’s earned nearly $345 million across his career- the next move may hinge less on money and more on meaning. Whether he chooses to chase one last role or protect his legacy from diminishing returns, the decision will define how his story closes.

Despite not being a starter, Russ averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 27.9 minutes per contest, finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. But that doesn’t paint the whole picture of his stint with the Denver Nuggets. Reports of Westbrook’s erratic play (including turnovers) drew internal frustration.

In fact, when interim coach David Adelman took over, in his debut game, he would limit the 36-year-old to 17 minutes – his second-lowest total of the season.

Plus, the Nuggets prioritized re-signing Bruce Brown for the bench point guard role Westbrook filled. So, the former MVP declined his player option and is yet to find a roster spot.

Former NBA guard Danny Green explained why it was the 9x All-Star’s fault, which has led to months of uncertainty. “I feel like Russ is more out of pocket of opting out of his contract when not having one in place already. You still take the guarantee, make him trade you, make him get you, whatever.”

Now with CBA’s offer, plus a potential opportunity from the Kings owing to Keegan Murray’s injury, there is still a chance for Westbrook to continue playing. Let’s not forget that even the Rockets need a veteran point guard after the injury to Fred VanVleet.