Should This Former NBA MVP Take His Talents Overseas?
The 2025-26 NBA season is right around the corner, and one of the top free agents is still unsigned. One of those is 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook, who just wrapped up his 17th season playing for the Denver Nuggets, which is his sixth team he has played for. The nine-time NBA All-Star averaged about 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game as a reliable option off the bench. Although Westbrook is still unsigned, he is a player who will make his impact on the court with his explosiveness, aggression, and willingness to empty the tank with every possession he is out there. If Westbrook struggles to negotiate an NBA deal, a potential overseas route could work in his favor.
In Westbrook’s 2017 MVP season, he averaged a triple-double with 31.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. “The Brodie” lost in the First Round to the Rockets in five games; however, he averaged 37.4 points per game, while still averaging a triple-double. Russ is no longer the same player he once was in his prime, but he can still contribute to a team's championship aspirations. At 36 years old, Westbrook should seek a team that can help him win his first NBA Championship.
Westbrook has had concerns with his shooting. He is not a consistent three-point shooter, and with the NBA evolving into shooting, Westbrook struggles to find his place as a shooter. Overseas basketball, however, is more of a drive-and-kick game, which is where Westbrook shines best. Wherever it may be, whether in Europe, China, Spain, etc., Westbrook could find a place to not only play his style best, but also regain his confidence from his former MVP days. With overseas basketball primarily focused on team actions, Westbrook’s ability to be a playmaker and create the best play for himself or his team can be an essential key to a solid overseas team. If Westbrook does not sign with an NBA team, he should look into an overseas option, which will give him a chance to extend his basketball career and show the world that “The Brodie” can still play the game at a high level.
