Westbrook s 400 million yuan declines the sky-high contract in Europe, behind which the ambition of an NBA veteran

When a super contract that broke the historical record of European basketball was in front of him, 37-year-old Russell Westbrook said without hesitation: "My 18th NBA season is coming soon!" The controversial superstar, who was labeled as a "data brush", used a short social media update to completely bankrupt all the rumors about him "escape from the NBA".

The temptation of the sky-high contract in Europe, why is Westbrook unmoved?

The price of the Israeli giant Tel Aviv Hapur is crazy - the annual salary exceeds the $5.135 million of active European highest salary Nunn, and may even be close to the tens of millions. For ordinary players, this is undoubtedly a "golden retirement opportunity" at the end of their career, but Westbrook's response directly unveiled the survival logic of top NBA stars.

"Money? I have made enough money in the NBA."

Open Westbrook's financial account book and the answer is clear at a glance. The net worth of US$400 million, the total career salary of US$343 million, and the endorsement and investment income of more than US$20 million each year make Europe's "sky-high prices" seem unattractive. More importantly, his business empire has long surpassed the stadium - the RWE company founded by him is leading the sports and entertainment community in Oklahoma City with a total investment of over $2 billion, and the battlefield of this "creative director" is obviously not in Europe.

The confidence to stay in the NBA: He is still a hot item

Although he is approaching 37 years old, Westbrook's value in the free market has not yet dried up. During his time with the Nuggets last season, he delivered comprehensive data of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, and started 36 times in 75 games, proving that he is still a qualified rotation player. In the first round of the playoffs, he even scored 13.8 points with a shooting percentage of 43.3%, and his three-point shooting percentage soared to 41.9%. The fighting spirit at critical moments made Denver fans shout "It's really good."

But the contradiction also follows. After the new coach Adelman Jr. took office, Westbrook was pressed on the bench in the playoffs, and although the data averaged 11.7 points per game averaged 24.1 minutes, it exposed the crisis of the coaching staff's tactical trust in him. What's even more difficult is that the Nuggets management has not finalized the new general manager so far, and the team is likely to sell core players such as Porter during the offseason. The turbulent lineup has made Westbrook's prospect of staying in the team confusing.

Europe is not a way out! The battle of dignity for NBA veterans

Westbrook's decision essentially reveals the unspoken rules of NBA stars' "decent retirement". When players such as Nunn and Beverly switched to Europe due to their decline in strength or salary demand, the ultimate protection of their career voice was behind Westbrook's refusal to follow. After all, once you leave the world's highest basketball hall, it almost means losing the opportunity to return forever.

This choice is also closely related to his "arrogant" personality. From a triple-double MVP averaged during the Thunder period to a full-network mockery during the Lakers period, Westbrook has always played in the arena with a "confrontation with the whole world". Even if his athletic ability declines, he still needs to prove that as long as he stays in the NBA, he has the opportunity to tear off the label and redefine the value.

Where to go to the next stop? Westbrook, who has the option of $3.5 million next season, is facing the most subtle choice of his career. It seems safe to stay in the Nuggets for execution options, but the new coach's tactical system and the chaos in management may further marginalize his role. If the contract is out of the free market, the substitute point guard of the championship team, the mentor of the young team, and even the old club "returning to the roots" will be a topical option.

It is worth mentioning that Westbrook has never taken the initiative to cut his salary in his career to pursue the championship, which is in sharp contrast to the "grouping" strategy of many veterans. When Paul and Howard, who are the same age, went to multiple teams, he seemed to be using every tough breakthrough to declare: I play basketball, not human nature. The veteran is not dead, but he just doesn't want to give in. Rejecting the sky-high European contract is by no means a simple story of "financial freedom". Behind his $400 million net worth is the unwillingness of a stubborn veteran - he still wants to continue to write his own violent aesthetic under the spotlight of the NBA. Perhaps the data for next season will no longer be dazzling, but as long as you stand on the court, Westbrook will always be the "triple-double machine" that makes your opponent scared.

As for whether Denver will become the terminal? I'm afraid even Westbrook is waiting for this answer. But the only thing that is certain is that as long as there is a drop of oil in the fuel tank, he will never go down the NBA battlefield.