Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers on a 3-year, $42 million deal, while Paul comes back to the Clippers for 1 year at $3.6 million...
Everyone is going home, the theme of this summer is returning to one's roots.
Who else is left in the free agency market now? The only name that might still be out there is Westbrook.
Nuggets reporter CuK tweeted in disbelief: "It’s ridiculous that no team has signed Westbrook yet." "
Previously, Westbrook declined his player option with the Nuggets, becoming a fully unrestricted free agent. It was expected that he would be highly sought after by various teams, but the reality is that no one seems interested. It's not that there’s no interest, but the potential suitors seem to just take a quick look and then back off, with no substantial actions taken.
Last season, Westbrook played for the veteran minimum but put up numbers equivalent to a $10 million salary with the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in the regular season, and 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in the playoffs. He can serve as a super sixth man off the bench or step up as a starter, providing excellent value.
So it’s truly surprising that no team is willing to offer Westbrook a contract; could it be that the renowned "Westbrook" might face a day where he has to leave quietly due to lack of interest?
To date, Westbrook has had a 17-year NBA career, during which he recorded four seasons of averaging a triple-double, earned one MVP award, was selected to the All-NBA team nine times, won the scoring title twice, led in assists three times, and made nine All-Star appearances, among other accolades. He also won Olympic gold medals with the U.S. men's basketball team for 12 years and was named one of the 75 greatest players.
The question now is, can the 36-year-old Westbrook still embark on his 18th NBA season? Many people are pessimistic about this because most teams have already filled their gaps, especially playoff teams that needed point guards have found their desired players.
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.
Regardless, best wishes to Westbrook!