There was a moment last season when Denver fans leaned forward again, waiting for Russell Westbrook to spark the floor. He wasn’t the triple-double force of old, yet he carved out an important role. Off the bench, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and nearly five rebounds a game. In the playoffs, he still provided momentum-changing scoring bursts. It was proof his fire remained. And yet here we are again, his future hanging in limbo, leaving many wondering what comes next.

That uncertainty only grew when Westbrook declined his $4 million player option with the Nuggets. Many assumed he would return for another year in Denver, but instead, he chose free agency. Reports quickly mentioned Sacramento, where he could share minutes behind Malik Monk. The Bucks also showed interest, though they appear hesitant to act. But that’s not all!

The waiting game also ties to another major storyline, Jonathan Kuminga’s drawn-out free-agency saga. As The Athletic explained, his decision impacts teams like Sacramento. They have held back on smaller moves because they are prioritizing him. If the Kings truly step away from Kuminga, then the odds of signing Westbrook rise. That makes his future oddly connected to another player’s standoff. But with deadlines not pressing until late September, the clock has yet to truly pressure either side. Until then, Sacramento continues to keep a cautious distance.

The uncertainty is not lost on those who know him. Patrick Beverley raised the issue directly on The Pat Bev Podcast. “Russell Westbrook?” he asked. When pressed on where Westbrook might land, Beverley admitted, “I don’t know, man. I don’t know. And I don’t know what’s taking so long.” For Beverley, the silence feels off. “It’s a little disrespectful that Russ hasn’t been signed yet. I’m going to be honest.”

That word, disrespectful, sticks when you hear Beverley defend his former teammate. He reminded listeners of Westbrook’s impact in Denver. “You ask Jokic, they love to play with him. You ask Aaron Gordon, they love to play with him.” Beverley couldn’t hide his confusion. “Russ is elite like s—t elite like it’s shocking to me that he hasn’t been picked up yet.” For him, doubting Westbrook makes little sense. After all, the veteran still helped win playoff games last spring.

And yet, the narrative persists. Beverley shook his head at the labels that followed his teammate. “MVP Mr. Triple double. I’m confused. I’m confused,” he admitted. Adam Ferrone quickly joked that if Westbrook played in the 80s, he’d be “fist fighting someone for sure.” Beverley leaned in on the point. “Because they gonna be tired of him dunking on they a—. That’s why.” The message was clear: Westbrook may be waiting, but his fight remains.

Russell Westbrook’s snub rekindles the legacy debate

At 36, Russell Westbrook’s best years may be behind him, but his resume remains unmatched by most. Nine All-Star selections, two scoring titles, three assist crowns, nine All-NBA nods, and an MVP award in 2017. Few point guards in history can rival those accomplishments. Yet, despite his decorated career, Westbrook’s name was missing from CBS Sports’ “NBA All-Quarter Century Teams,” which highlighted the best players from the past 25 years. That absence had fans and former players questioning how such a snub was possible.

The list stirred plenty of debate. Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James led the first team. Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Durant headlined the second. Steve Nash, James Harden, and Dirk Nowitzki rounded out the third. But for many, the real shock was the omission of Westbrook, especially considering his historic four-year run of averaging triple-doubles. Could his resume really not measure up to those names?

Former All-Star Jeff Teague voiced the frustration on his podcast Club 520. “I’m really surprised by Russell Westbrook [being left off the list],” Teague said. “Averaging that triple-double, man, for four years straight. He made that look too normal.” He did not stop there. “The fact that we just blow past that someone averaged a triple-double for four straight years, and they’re a point guard, like what? …He had a 20/20/20 game… at his size. Russell Westbrook, we need to have a real conversation.”

The word conversation lingers. Westbrook’s legacy is undeniable, yet recognition often escapes him. Snub or fair ranking, his name refuses to fade quietly, forcing the basketball world to keep talking.