Russell Westbrook has had a notable basketball career, with numerous accolades and a significant salary, and in 2024, he signed a 1-year, $3.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, representing the largest pay cut in NBA history. Throughout his career, Westbrook has earned over $350 million in NBA salary alone and millions more from endorsements.
Following the departure of Durant, Westbrook became the central figure of the Thunder franchise before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019. He subsequently played for the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers, eventually embracing a sixth-man role with the LA Clippers, demonstrating his ability to adapt. In July 2024, Russell inked a 1-year deal with the Denver Nuggets worth $3.3 million, which is the minimum salary for a player of his experience. Notably, his salary in the preceding season was $46 million, marking the most substantial pay reduction in the history of the NBA. Throughout his career, Westbrook has been recognized as a nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and three-time assists leader, characterized by his tenacious playing style, exceptional athleticism, and unwavering dedication, although he has also faced criticism for his inefficient shooting and tendency to commit turnovers. Russell Westbrook has occasionally been among the world's highest-paid athletes, in terms of both salary and endorsement deals. In his first decade in the league, he earned $250 million in salary alone, and as of the current year, his total NBA salary earnings exceed $350 million. Additionally, he earns millions of dollars annually from endorsement contracts. In June 2022, Russell opted to exercise his option to remain with the Lakers, receiving a salary of $47.1 million. However, he was traded to the Utah Jazz in July 2024 and subsequently waived, allowing him to sign with the Denver Nuggets on a 1-year, $3.3 million contract. Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California, and grew up in Hawthorne with his mother, Shannon, father, Russell Jr., and younger brother, Raynard. Russell and his close friend, Khelcey Barrs III, aspired to play basketball together at UCLA, but Barrs tragically passed away during a scrimmage in 2004 due to an undiagnosed enlarged heart. Westbrook became a starter on Leuzinger's varsity team as a junior and averaged 25.1 points per game during his senior year. He received a scholarship to play basketball at UCLA and became the team's starter and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year during his sophomore year. In 2008, Russell dropped out of UCLA and entered the NBA draft. In 2013, the Thunder secured the top seed in the Western Conference and made the playoffs. Russell injured his right knee during the second game of the playoffs, scoring 29 points, and the following day, he discovered he had a slight tear in his meniscus. He underwent surgery on April 27, 2013, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the playoffs. Before the 2013-2014 season commenced, he had to undergo a second surgery and missed the first two games. Westbrook then underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee shortly after Christmas and did not return to the court until February 20, 2014. In March 2014, the Thunder competed in the Western Conference Finals but lost in game 6. During the beginning of the 2014-2015 season, Russell fractured the second metacarpal in his right hand and had to miss 14 games. In 2015, he scored a career-high of 48 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, which he surpassed a month later when he scored 49 points against the Philadelphia 76ers, and was named the All-Star MVP after scoring 41 points in the NBA All-Star game. In 2021, Westbrook was traded to his hometown team, the Los Angeles Lakers, where his tenure was marked by challenges and criticism, but he eventually accepted a sixth-man role, showcasing his adaptability. In February 2023, he was traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently waived, enabling him to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Russell married Nina Earl, a fellow UCLA basketball player whom he met in college, on August 29, 2015, and they have three children together: son Noah, born on May 16, 2017, and twin daughters Skye and Jordyn, born on November 17, 2018. Westbrook pays tribute to his late friend, Khelcey, by wearing a 'KB3' wristband and handwriting 'KB3' on his sneakers. The Jordan Why Not? Zer0.3, part of Russell's signature sneaker series, features a 'KB3' patch on each shoe. In July 2020, Westbrook tested positive for Coronavirus and, after complying with the mandatory NBA quarantine protocol, was able to return to practice on July 20th. In 2008, Westbrook received several accolades, including being named to the All-Pac-10 Third Team, Pac-10 All-Tournament Team, Pac-10 All-Defensive Team, and CollegeInsider.com All-Defensive Team, as well as being the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2017, Russell was named the NBA Most Valuable Player and has been an NBA All-Star eight times and an NBA All-Star Game MVP twice. He was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2009 and the All-NBA First Team in 2016 and 2017. He was also the NBA assists leader in 2018 and 2019 and the NBA scoring champion in 2015 and 2017. In May 2018, Westbrook purchased a 13,000-square-foot mansion in LA's Brentwood neighborhood for $19.75 million. In September 2022, Russell listed the home for sale at a price slightly under $30 million. He also owned several homes in Oklahoma, including a 3-bedroom house that he sold for $426,900 in March 2020 and an 8,394-square-foot mansion that he listed for $1.7 million in November 2019.