Russell Westbrook signed a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Denver Nuggets in 2024, marking the largest salary reduction in NBA history. His career includes nine All-Star selections, two scoring titles, and three assists crowns.
Following Kevin Durant's exit, Westbrook took over as the Oklahoma City Thunder's leading figure before being dealt to the Houston Rockets in 2019. He later donned the jerseys of the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers, ultimately embracing a sixth-man role with the LA Clippers, demonstrating his versatility. In July 2024, Westbrook agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, which aligns with the league's minimum wage for a player with his tenure. The previous season, he earned $46 million, illustrating the steepest pay cut ever recorded in professional basketball. Over his career, Westbrook has earned nine All-Star selections, claimed two scoring titles, and led the league in assists three times. His competitive style is defined by fierce determination, remarkable athleticism, and unmatched energy, though critics have pointed out his tendency toward inefficient shooting and high turnover rates. At times, Westbrook has ranked among the world's top-earning athletes, both through salaries and endorsement deals. He banked $250 million in salary alone within his first decade in the NBA. As of now, his total NBA earnings exceed $350 million, with additional millions generated annually from sponsorship agreements. In June 2022, Westbrook chose to exercise his player option, remaining with the Lakers at a $47.1 million salary. He was traded to the Utah Jazz in July 2024, waived shortly after, and then signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets. Born Russell Westbrook III on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California, he was raised in Hawthorne alongside his mother Shannon, father Russell Jr., and younger brother Raynard. Westbrook and his childhood friend Khelcey Barrs III shared dreams of playing basketball together at UCLA. Tragically, Barrs, who suffered from an undiagnosed enlarged heart, passed away during a scrimmage in 2004 while both attended Leuzinger High School. Westbrook joined Leuzinger’s varsity team as a junior and averaged 25.1 points per game as a senior. He earned a basketball scholarship to UCLA, where he started as a sophomore and was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2008, Westbrook left UCLA to enter the NBA draft. During the 2013 playoffs, Westbrook injured his right knee in the second game, scoring 29 points despite the setback. The next day, an MRI revealed a minor meniscus tear. He underwent surgery on April 27, 2013, and was sidelined for the remainder of the postseason. A second procedure was required before the 2013–14 season began, forcing him to miss the first two games. Additional arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late December 2013 kept him out until February 20, 2014. In March 2014, the Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals but lost in Game 6. At the start of the 2014–15 season, Westbrook fractured the second metacarpal in his right hand, missing 14 contests. In 2015, he set a personal best with 48 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, later surpassing that mark with 49 points versus the Philadelphia 76ers. He was named All-Star Game MVP after scoring 41 points in the 2015 showcase. Westbrook joined his hometown Los Angeles Lakers in 2021, a tenure marked by challenges and public scrutiny. Despite this, he later accepted a sixth-man role, highlighting his adaptability. In February 2023, he was traded to the Utah Jazz and released, only to be claimed by the Los Angeles Clippers soon after. Westbrook married Nina Earl, a former UCLA basketball teammate he met in college, on August 29, 2015. The couple welcomed son Noah on May 16, 2017, and twin daughters Skye and Jordyn on November 17, 2018. He honors Barrs by wearing a "KB3" wristband and handwriting the initials on his sneakers, including the Jordan Why Not? Zer0.3, part of his signature line. In July 2020, Westbrook tested positive for COVID-19 and, after completing NBA-mandated quarantine, returned to practice on July 20. In 2008, Westbrook was named to the All-Pac-10 Third Team, Pac-10 All-Tournament Team, Pac-10 All-Defensive Team, and CollegeInsider.com All-Defensive Team, earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors. In 2017, he was crowned NBA Most Valuable Player. He has been selected to the All-Star team eight times and named All-Star Game MVP twice. Westbrook made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2009, the All-NBA First Team in 2016 and 2017, led the league in assists in 2018 and 2019, and captured scoring titles in 2015 and 2017. In May 2018, Westbrook purchased a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $19.75 million. By September 2022, he listed the property for just under $30 million. He also owned multiple residences in Oklahoma, including a three-bedroom home sold for $426,900 in March 2020 and an 8,394-square-foot mansion listed for $1.7 million in November 2019. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved