First career absence! At this point, Westbrook still hasn’t found a team! Where will he go?

Today is NBA Media Day.

Media Day is an important occasion for teams to engage with media and fans before the new season begins, signaling the formal start of season preparations.

Players come back to their teams on this day,take official portraits, participate in media interviews, and discuss their offseason changes and objectives for the new season .

Teams take this chance to reveal new lineups, new additions, and their strategic plans, setting the stage for training camp and preseason.

Fans also get to see their favorite stars after a long time, noticing who gained weight, who slimmed down, and who stayed fresh.

For example, the Lakers officially announced that Doncic currently weighs 230 pounds, down from a peak of 270 pounds last year.

In other words, Doncic lost nearly 40 pounds... He mentioned that after the physical change, he felt “less tired” and “faster” during the European Basketball Championship.

Another example is Yang Hansen's debut with the Trail Blazers, where he shared how he gets along with teammates.

“I just smile at them because I believe that even if I mess up, smiling at my teammates means they won’t blame me.”

Haha...

However, the NBA, being a league with rapid player turnover and fierce competition, also uses Media Day to mark the passing of the torch from veterans to newcomers.

Many familiar veterans might leave this stage and transition into life in suits and ties.

For instance, Michael Jordan Jr.

Many players will move to other leagues, like Horton-Tucker and Radish mentioned earlier.

Among the players absent from NBA Media Day, one has drawn significant fan attention:Russell Westbrook.

The “Young Master” confirmed he will miss the NBA Media Day event for the new season.

This is his first absence since entering the league in 2008,marking the first missed Media Day in his 16-year careerand signaling a major turning point in his career, reflecting the natural cycle of renewal in the NBA.

As of September 30 Beijing time, Westbrook still hasn’t secured a team.

We’ve all gotten used to calling him “Young Master,” sometimes forgetting that he’s about to turn 36.

Players who entered the league with him, from Rose to Beasley to Mayo, have long left this stage.

So, it’s time to accept the transition between generations and face reality.

Last season with the Nuggets, he played 75 games, averaging 27.9 minutes, 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals, with shooting splits of 44.9/32.3/66.1%.

During the offseason, he declined the Nuggets’ $3.5 million player option, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

This decision is debatable; even though his stats look good, his actual options were quite limited.

I have always believed that among the 30 NBA teams, the best fit for him—considering his current life stage and playing style—is still the Denver Nuggets, benefiting from Jokic’s strong support.

But there’s no going back now.

Additionally, the Kings have been the team closest to signing Westbrook.

There were reports that they are trying to trade Monk to free up a spot for Westbrook to serve as backup point guard to Schroder.

In other words, Westbrook’s uncertain status may be linked to Kuminga’s situation.

The Kings have resumed trade talks with the Warriors.

One thing leads to another...

If Westbrook is willing to accept a minimum salary, I believe he still has a good chance to appear on the NBA court next season.

A few days ago, VanVleet got injured, and many fans linked Westbrook to the Rockets.

I understand fans’ simple hopes, but simple hopes are the least valuable.

Ignoring salary cap and positional factors, I want to make two points.

First, if you’re a Rockets fan, Westbrook is not a good fit for the team.

He will always be a player who needs the ball in his hands to perform comfortably; that’s unchangeable.

If he could have changed, he would have done so by age 26; now he’s 36.

Second, if you’re a Westbrook fan, don’t expect him to join the Rockets.

Because he will definitely face criticism.

Reuniting with the big brother? Don’t be fooled by the pretty picture or the apparent reconciliation.

A broken mirror may be repaired, but cracks remain.

Westbrook’s life is uncompromising and straightforward.

Essentially, he and Durant are not the same kind of player.