NBA Scout Says Nuggets Should Cut Russell Westbrook: 'Russ Needs to Retire'

The Denver Nuggets are 0-2 and NBA legend Russell Westbrook is having big problems with his new team.

The 35-year-old Westbrook is averaging 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 turnovers while shooting 11.1% from the field in two games , shooting 11.1% from distance and 50.0% from the free throw line.

Westbrook, a future Hall of Famer, has a plus-minus of -37 this season and one NBA scout believes the Nuggets need to make a drastic move.

“They have to take Russ out,” the NBA scout told Hoops Wire. “He can’t shoot. There is no distance between them when he is on the pitch. Teams literally dare him to shoot and simply push Jokic into the box. And when he drives to the rim, he gets so low and out of position that he can't hit layups. Russ needs to retire. He’s not a good player anymore.”

The Nuggets signed Westbrook to a two-year, $6.8 million contract in July. Westbrook is making $3.3 million this season. He has a player option worth $3.5 million for next season.

Westbrook, the NBA leader in triple-doubles, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2023-24 season he shot 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from distance and 68.8% from the foul line.

The Clippers had to convince Westbrook to come off the bench after acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. According to NBA reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints, it wasn't an easy process.

According to NBA reporter Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic supported the idea of ​​the Nuggets acquiring Westbrook, but so far the move has looked bad.

Denver faces the Toronto Raptors tonight (October 28th). If Westbrook struggles again and the Nuggets lose to a rebuilding Raptors team, things could get ugly in Denver.

One of the best players in NBA history, Westbrook has career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, the Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers. He won the 2016-17 MVP Award with the Thunder.