Kendrick Perkins Reveals Rift with Russell Westbrook

Kendrick Perkins, a media figure and former NBA player, has shared that he is no longer in contact with his ex-teammate Russell Westbrook.

Their relationship soured after Perkins publicly warned Westbrook during a sports broadcast several years back, while they were both with the Thunder and competing for an NBA championship.

When Westbrook joined the Lakers, ESPN analysts suggested that he needed to “suppress” his game or risk fading out of the league, which reportedly led to discussions with various NBA team managers.

Now, just a short time later, it seems Westbrook is realizing he finds himself without a team.

“This situation, this moment—we’re at a point where Russell Westbrook isn’t on any roster—is straining my personal relationship with him,” Perkins stated.

Westbrook reportedly felt humiliated by Perkins’ earlier comments, which, according to Perkins, escalated to involve their spouses.

“That’s when our relationship ultimately ended,” Perkins reflected.

“I’m not out to ‘kill’ Russ, if that’s how it sounds. I’m just sharing what’s been reported,” he clarified.

And those reports seem to hold weight.

After declining a $3.47 million player option with the Nuggets following the 2024-25 season, Westbrook hasn’t received any calls from teams. Last season, he averaged 21.2 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

“At this point, once Russ opted out in Denver, it seemed like the only team expressing interest was Sacramento. Now we’re starting a new season, and he’s still not on a roster,” Perkins mentioned.

Whether or not Westbrook finds himself back on the court this season will reveal how he feels about the decisions he’s made and perhaps the advice from former teammates.