The Denver Nuggets entered the 2026 postseason with real championship expectations. They had Nikola Jokic, a proven core, and a full offseason of roster moves behind them. Denver’s first-round exit was a major disappointment for a No. 3 seed.
Now one name keeps surfacing in every conversation about what went wrong in Denver this postseason. Russell Westbrook. The former MVP was pushed out before the season even started. Fans are furious. The front office has serious questions to answer. The damage is already done.
Westbrook proved his worth in Denver
Russell Westbrook signed with Denver in the summer of 2024 on a two-year veteran minimum deal. Many dismissed the move as a feel-good reunion. What happened next surprised the league. Westbrook appeared in 75 games, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 44.9 percent shooting.
That kind of production on a minimum contract is the kind of value teams dream about. Westbrook also finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He was energetic, dependable, and a veteran presence that clearly fit the Nuggets’ culture.
He made history while wearing a Nuggets jersey
Westbrook did not just contribute to wins in Denver. He rewrote the record books. On November 19, 2024, Westbrook posted his 200th career triple-double in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the first player in NBA history to reach that milestone.
The achievement reminded the basketball world that Westbrook was still a generational talent doing things no one else had done. He made history with six different franchises. That kind of consistency across so many teams is a testament to what he brings to every locker room he walks into.
Lesser-known fact: Westbrook also recorded a “perfect” triple-double on December 30, 2024, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists with zero turnovers and zero missed shots
Jokic wanted him back, but the front office didn’t
The split between what the star player wanted and what management decided tells you a lot. Nikola Jokic was actively pushing behind the scenes to bring Westbrook back for a second season. That is a significant detail. When your franchise player lobbies for a teammate on a minimum deal, teams tend to listen. Denver’s front office did not.
Instead, the organization signaled to Westbrook that his services were no longer needed. He held a $3.47 million player option for the 2025-26 season. That is a small number for any NBA team to carry. The decision to move on was clearly philosophical rather than financial.
They told Westbrook to leave
When Westbrook returned to Denver as a member of the Sacramento Kings in November 2025, he did not dance around the truth. Speaking to reporters after the game, he said, “The truth is they didn’t want me back…. They told me not to [pick it up]. I don’t go anywhere I’m not wanted.”
That quote landed hard. It confirmed what many had suspected. The Nuggets did not simply allow Westbrook to walk. They actively pushed him toward the door. Former NBA player Danny Green also reported that Denver had no plans to play Westbrook at all had he returned. That is a stunning about-face for a player who had just given them a solid season.
Lesser-known fact: Westbrook underwent surgery on May 27, 2025, to repair multiple ligament tears in his right hand. He had played through the breaks for weeks without telling anyone publicly.
Denver chose Braun and Brown over Westbrook
Rather than retaining Westbrook, Denver used its offseason resources elsewhere. The Nuggets signed Christian Braun to a five-year, $125 million extension in October 2025. They also brought back Bruce Brown, a fan favorite from their 2023 championship run. The front office clearly believed those two could fill the void Westbrook left.
The move drew criticism after Denver’s first-round exit. Braun scored roughly 50 total points across six games in the 2026 first-round series against Minnesota. Brown did not provide the high-energy backup guard play that Westbrook had given them. Both players failed to replicate the intensity and experience Westbrook brought on both ends of the floor.
The Timberwolves sent Denver home early
Minnesota did not just beat the Nuggets. They embarrassed a team with title aspirations. The 2026 first round was supposed to be a formality for Denver. Instead, the sixth-seeded Timberwolves closed out the series in Game 6 with a 110-98 victory, eliminating the No. 3 seed Nuggets stunningly.
Minnesota was missing Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kyle Anderson due to injuries. Denver could not beat a severely depleted opponent. Jokic scored 28 in the final game but received almost no support. The Nuggets were outworked, outcompeted, and exposed for lacking the kind of toughness and depth that a team needs to win in May.
Fans blamed the front office immediately
Denver fans did not hold back their frustration after the elimination. The reaction online was swift and pointed directly at management. One fan wrote that the Nuggets “Cut Russell Westbrook in favor of Bruce Brown and then got knocked out in the first round to a bunch of bench players.”
Another posted that Westbrook “didn’t get extended on a minimum” and that the Nuggets “deserve everything happening to them.” The anger is not irrational. A veteran who played through broken bones for your team, finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and was lobbied for by your franchise player does not get shown the door without consequences.
What this means for Denver going forward
Denver finished the season ranked 21st in defensive rating. Their financial flexibility is limited by the contracts they handed out this offseason. The Braun extension now looks like a gamble that did not pay off. Bruce Brown did not solve the depth issue. And Jokic, who is eligible for a massive extension this summer, has already made clear he still wants to be a Nugget. But how long will that patience last?
The Nuggets have three consecutive second-round exits or worse to account for. The front office made a call on Westbrook, and they got it wrong. The 2026 playoff exit will follow that decision for years. Denver goes into this summer needing answers, and right now the loudest question in Mile High is a simple one. Why did they let Russ go?
TL;DR
- Russell Westbrook had a strong 2024-25 season with Denver, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds on a minimum deal.
- He made NBA history with his 200th career triple-double while a Nugget.
- Nikola Jokic lobbied for Westbrook to return. The front office said no.
- Westbrook revealed the Nuggets told him not to pick up his $3.47 million player option.
If you liked this story, don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
If you liked this, you might also like:
