“I think that as we’ve grown and matured, learned, explored, and gotten to know each other better, I think it’s really good we know each other really well,” said Nina Westbrook during an interview with ‘Blacklove’ back in 2023. It’s often quite rare to meet your soulmate during an early stage of your life. Russell Westbrook did not have that problem, meeting Nina Earl while attending the University of California around two decades ago. Their campus love story was reportedly built on several foundations, including their mutual love of basketball. However, just like every other couple, Russell and Nina have their issues. The fact that life is not always a bed of roses, even with your partner, was something she recently emphasized by bringing up Michelle Obama.

The 36-year-old recently released another episode of her ‘Do Tell’ podcast. With filmmaker and activist Etienne Maurice joining in as co-host, she revealed that she and Russell Westbrook are set to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in the coming days. Though the couple got married back in August 2015, they have been together for at least 18 years. The time spent together taught her a lot of things and made her somewhat relate to the former First Lady of the USA, too.

As she revealed during the episode, “I think about her all the time whenever I talk about relationships, because I, and I bring this up often, when everyone was up in arms when she said that for 10 years of her marriage, she didn’t like her husband, and everybody was like clutching their pearls.” It can be understood why the statement from Michelle Obama would divide people. After being in the same relationship for almost two decades, however, Nina understood where she was coming from.

“I was like, ok, we grew up with our parents, and our parents grew up with us. We literally came from our mothers, right? And how many times can you count where she couldn’t stand you, and you couldn’t stand her? Like, why do we have to pretend that we love to be around people and then they don’t get on our nerves?” said Nina.

Michelle Obama married the future President of the United States back in October 1992. During an interview on ‘Revolt TV’ back in December 2022, months after the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary, she revealed “People think I’m being catty by saying this – it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband. And guess when it happened? When those kids were little”.

Obama further added that “And for 10 years while we’re trying to build our careers and, you know, worrying about school and who’s doing what and what, I was like, ‘Ugh, this isn’t even’. And guess what? Marriage isn’t 50/50 – ever, ever. There are times I’m 70, he’s 30. There are times he’s 60, 40, but guess what? 10 years – we’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 – it’s just how you look at it. And people give up … [saying], ‘5 years – I can’t take it.’”

On the outside, any marriage can be made to look perfect. Some marriages might be perfect, but only after it went through a major period of trial and error. No matter how much you love one person, you are bound to eventually clash with them on a personal issue.

Things become more complicated when the couple is a part of the public spotlight. As Russell Westbrook himself once revealed, the harsh criticism levied towards him over the years has had a deep impact on him. He highlighted that “This is a game. This is not my entire life. It starts to affect my family, my wife, my mom. I don’t even want to bring my kids to the game because I don’t want them to hear people calling their dad names”. Such issues are bound to create friction with the couple, as the fame and money the NBA star has gained over the years take a backseat to the dark cost of being a public figure.

Despite those personal moments where the couple got on each other’s nerves, Nina and Russell Westbrook have continued to remain strong. They are set to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in August. Remembering that would certainly bring some comfort to the NBA player. Especially now, when the professional part of his life seems to be at an uncertain stage.

Will Russell Westbrook Be Traded to the Detroit Pistons?

Over the 17 years that Russell Westbrook has been a part of the NBA, he has played for 6 different teams, joining 4 of them in the last 5 years itself. By taking the $3.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the player would have ensured he stayed with the Denver Nuggets for another season. However, he declined the same and will now test free agency. NBA reporter Brett Siegel recently highlighted that Westbrook was linked to various teams ahead of free agency, but he is seemingly out of options now. Fortunately, the Detroit Pistons do not seem to be on the ‘Out of Options’ list.

NBA analyst Jake Weinbach recently revealed that “I would not rule out the Pistons as a potential dark horse suitor. Despite minimal chatter surrounding the idea, Detroit should be targeting a veteran point guard on the market to strengthen its backcourt depth”.

It is no secret that the Detroit Pistons are currently in need of a backup point guard for Cade Cunningham. Dennis Schroder’s departure ensured that. As someone who averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 75 games last season, and started in 36 of them, Westbrook proves he can handle the backup role well.

With a salary cap of $174.719 million already listed for the 2025-26 season, the Detroit Pistons can’t afford to spend too much without risking the penalties for crossing the luxury tax limit. Fortunately, Westbrook last held a minimum free agent contract worth 2 years, $6.7727 million. Therefore, the Pistons won’t have to go too deep into their pockets to afford him.

As of now, there has been no movement in any potential acquisition discussions between Russell Westbrook and the Detroit Pistons. If the player chooses to make a decision, however, he had better run it by Nina first. Otherwise, the couple might have another moment of getting on each other’s nerves.