Danny Green explains why Russell Westbrook’s Nuggets exit was premature
Former NBA guard Danny Green has weighed in on Russell Westbrook’s decision to leave the Denver Nuggets ahead of the 2025–26 season, suggesting the veteran guard may have miscalculated his options.
Following Kendrick Perkins’ public fallout with Westbrook over concerns he might be pushed out of the league, Green offered his own take on the situation during an episode of Inside The Green Room. According to Green, Westbrook should have stayed in Denver unless he had a firm offer elsewhere.
Green acknowledged that Westbrook wasn’t expected to reprise his sixth-man role from last season, but still questioned the decision to opt out without a backup plan.
“I thought he had something guaranteed, like a team was already interested,” Green said. “From what I heard, Denver wasn’t planning to play him at all this year—even behind guys he should’ve been ahead of. So to walk away without another deal in place? That’s risky.”
Green emphasized that Westbrook should’ve prioritized the security of a guaranteed contract, even if it meant forcing a trade later.
“You take the guarantee. Make them trade you. Whatever it is, unless you know for sure someone else is ready to sign you.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Green believes Westbrook still belongs in the league, but admits that age is a growing obstacle.
“He absolutely deserves a roster spot,” Green said. “But once you’re over 35, you’re seen as old—unless you’re Steph or KD and still playing at an All-Star level. For the rest of us, it’s tough to hang on.”
