“To me, style is very, very important because it can cross so many different lanes…. I think it’s important to see how in everything, fashion relates to people across the board,” said Russell Westbrook back in September 2017. Almost 8 years later, his thinking continues to remain the same, as he continues maintaining his image of the “king of NBA style”. For the king, there is no better platform to highlight his apparel taste than the iconic Met Gala. Unfortunately, while Westbrook has attended the high-class event several times, he could not do so this year. Why?

Oh, nothing other than THE Nuggets-OKC playoff matchup coinciding with it. Nevertheless, the player was able to catch this year’s turnout, and was even able to capture some ideas (literally) that could appeal to his fashion sense while also helping boost his business.

In the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets’ close 121-119 win, Russell Westbrook participated in a Q&A session. During the same, he was asked about the inspiration for his recent outfit. The player had arrived at the Paycom Center wearing a jacket that once reportedly belonged to journalist André Leon Talley. He sported a black hat alongside the grey jacket, along with lowers that could not be classified as either jeans or pants. Westbrook admitted that it was the Met Gala that inspired him, since “I told myself this year I wasn’t going, but I’m going to bring the Mets home, you know what I mean?”

Though he couldn’t attend, he did admit to catching the updates from the event and keeping the data from the Gala on his phone. “I got to go back and look, but I… before the game, I was going quick, just to look and see which ones I like,” Westbrook revealed. “I took some screenshots for inspiration, for my next collection, but yeah, I’ll let you know tomorrow”.

The ‘collection’ remark was, of course, a reference to ‘Honor the Gift’, aka another example of just how far the NBA player’s love for fashion goes. Having founded the company back in 2016, it initially focused on paying homage to Westbrook’s growing-up years in L.A. and Hawthorne. Over the years, the brand expanded its collection and introduced new concepts like the “After Hours” collection after partnering with the Los Angeles Rams. Now, Westbrook wants to use the recent Met Gala to gain some inspiration for his next big idea.

Well, as Russell Westbrook goes on his search for a new idea, he might get inspired by someone close to home: LeBron James’ wife, Savannah. The Lakers star could not attend the event as he continues to recover from his Grade 2 MCL sprain. However, since LeBron was listed as an honorary chair for the fashion event, his better half was able to represent both of them at the fundraising festival. The 38-year-old was captured making her solo debut by donning a burgundy suiting-inspired gown by Hanifa.

It consisted of a pinstripe jacket that also contained exposed boning and a full mermaid-style skirt. The outfit certainly fell in line with the night’s ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ theme and ‘Tailored for You’ dress code. If Westbrook has to get an idea, then what better thing is there than to be inspired by the wife of one of his NBA peers?

However, if he goes on to do so, then things might get a bit awkward. After all, from the looks of things, Westbrook and LeBron have lost touch.

Russell Westbrook reveals having drifted away from friendship with LeBron James: “I don’t know how long”

For the NBA world, LeBron James not being at the Met Gala would be the story of the day. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise when Russell Westbrook was asked about the same during the post-game Q&A session. Knowing his love for fashion, a reporter even asked if he had a conversation with the Lakers star, before the injury, about what he should wear. This led to the Nuggets player sadly revealing, “I do not…. I, I haven’t talked to Bron, I don’t know how long”. Sigh!

Everyone who has been following the NBA for at least the last 5 years would know that Russell Westbrook and LeBron James were once teammates. However, as they continued to play on as teammates, rumors started to emerge of the duo not being too peachy with each other. According to the Bleacher Report, Klutch Sports, the agency headed by LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul, wasn’t happy when Rob Pelinka “refused to trade Westbrook and a future first-round pick (likely 2027) for Houston Rockets guard and Klutch client John Wall.”

ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk addressed the two players’ relationship by stating, “I asked, is it a rift? And I was told that’s a little too harsh. But it definitely sounded like it’s frosty”. Despite this, years after Westbrook was eventually traded, Dave McMenamin reported that “every member of the organization involved in the Russell Westbrook trade — including James – will admit they misjudged it, owning part of the blame”.

As of now, it is hard to know just where the relationship between LeBron James and Russell Westbrook stands. LeBron did give his former teammate a shout out, back in September 2024 by writing “S/O the Brodie!”.

However, now the 36-year-old claims to be out of touch with the 4x NBA champion. Well, with any luck, the two get on a call soon. And maybe even ask for Savannah’s assistance with his collection. After all, no one can rival Mrs. James when it comes to courtside fashion!