Russell Westbrook: A Closer Look At The NBA Legend

What’s Up with Russell Westbrook’s Net Worth and Salary?

Let’s talk about Russell Westbrook, the powerhouse NBA player who’s not just a name on the court but also a financial force. Russell’s current net worth sits at an impressive $300 million. Drafted fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics (who later became the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2008, Westbrook quickly rose to fame as one of the game’s most electrifying figures. Alongside Kevin Durant, he helped lead the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012. But it was in the 2016-17 season that Russell truly cemented his legacy, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for an entire season. This extraordinary achievement earned him the coveted MVP award, and he continued to average a triple-double in three consecutive seasons—a feat that seemed impossible until Westbrook made it happen.

After Durant left for greener pastures, Russell became the face of the Thunder franchise, only to be traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019. From there, his journey took him to the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and eventually the LA Clippers, where he embraced a sixth-man role. In July 2024, Russell signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets. Now, that’s quite a step down from his previous salary of $46 million, marking the largest pay cut in NBA history. But hey, it’s all about legacy, right?

Russell has been a nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and three-time assists leader. His game? Pure intensity. Aggressive, athletic, and relentless—though critics might point out his occasional inefficiency in shooting and turnovers. But that’s what makes him Russell Westbrook.

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Russell Westbrook: One of the Highest-Paid Athletes Ever

There’s no denying that Russell Westbrook has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Just in his first decade in the NBA, he pocketed $250 million in salary alone. As of now, his total NBA earnings have surpassed $350 million. And that’s not all—endorsements have added millions more to his bank account. Westbrook’s financial success is as impressive as his basketball career.

Largest Contract in NBA History: Westbrook’s Record-Breaking Deal

In 2017, Russell signed not one but two record-breaking contracts. First, he inked a 10-year deal with Jordan Brand worth a reported $150–$200 million, making it the largest contract in Jordan Brand history. Then, he signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Thunder, which at the time was the largest contract in NBA history. When the Thunder traded Russell to the Houston Rockets in 2019, the Rockets took on the massive contract, averaging $41 million per year. Westbrook’s record stood until Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a five-year, $228.2 million deal in December 2020.

In 2022, Russell opted to stay with the Lakers for a salary of $47.1 million. But by July 2024, after being traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently waived, he signed a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Denver Nuggets. Talk about a dramatic salary swing!

Early Life: The Journey to the NBA

Russell Westbrook was born Russell Westbrook III on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California. Growing up in Hawthorne, he was surrounded by family—his mother Shannon, father Russell Jr., and younger brother Raynard. Russell and his best friend, Khelcey Barrs III, dreamed of playing basketball together at UCLA. Tragically, Khelcey passed away in 2004 due to an undiagnosed enlarged heart during a high school scrimmage. This loss deeply affected Westbrook, but it also fueled his drive to succeed. By his senior year at Leuzinger High School, Russell was averaging an impressive 25.1 points per game.

Russell earned a scholarship to UCLA, where he quickly became a standout player. During his sophomore year, he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and earned a starting position on the team. In 2008, Russell made the leap to the NBA, leaving UCLA behind to chase his dreams in the big leagues.

The Career of a Legend

Draft Day and the Early Years

On draft day in 2008, Russell was selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, who became the Thunder just six days later after relocating to Oklahoma City. On July 5, 2008, Westbrook signed with the Thunder, and during his rookie season, he averaged 15.3 points per game, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. By his second season, Russell was a full-time starter, and the Thunder made the playoffs.

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The Rise to Stardom

On November 26, 2010, Russell scored 43 points, a career-high at the time. In 2011, he was selected for the NBA All-Star Game and named to the All-NBA Second Team, honors he would repeat in 2012. The Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012, where Westbrook became the first player since Michael Jordan to score 25+ points and 10+ assists in his first Finals game. Russell also represented Team USA in the 2012 Summer Olympics, bringing home a gold medal.

Injuries and Comebacks

In 2013, the Thunder were the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, but Russell suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the second game. Despite multiple surgeries, he continued to play at an elite level. In 2014, Russell fractured his right hand, missing 14 games, but he returned stronger than ever, scoring a career-high 48 points against the New Orleans Pelicans and later breaking that record with 49 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 2016 All-Star Game, Russell was named MVP after scoring 41 points.

The MVP Season and Beyond

After Kevin Durant left the Thunder, the team offered Russell a 3-year, $85.7 million contract extension in August 2016 to ensure they wouldn’t lose him. In March 2017, Russell shattered his own scoring record with 58 points against the Portland Trail Blazers and was awarded the NBA MVP award. In September 2017, he signed another extension, this time a five-year, $205 million deal. However, knee surgeries and ankle sprains kept him sidelined at various points, but his resilience shone through.

In 2019, the Thunder traded Russell to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul. After one season, he was traded to the Washington Wizards, where he broke Oscar Robertson’s all-time triple-double record. Russell then joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021, embracing a sixth-man role with the Clippers after a challenging tenure. In July 2024, after being traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently waived, he signed with the Denver Nuggets.

Personal Life: Family and Legacy

Russell married Nina Earl, a fellow UCLA basketball player, on August 29, 2015. Together, they have a son, Noah, born in 2017, and twin daughters, Skye and Jordyn, born in 2018. Russell honors his late best friend, Khelcey Barrs III, by wearing a "KB3" wristband and handwriting "KB3" on his sneakers. The Jordan Why Not? Zer0.3, part of his signature sneaker series, features a "KB3" patch on each shoe. In July 2020, Russell tested positive for COVID-19 but returned to practice after following the NBA’s quarantine protocols.

Awards and Honors: A Legacy of Excellence

Russell’s accolades are as impressive as his stats. In 2008, he 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, as well as being the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2017, Russell was awarded the NBA MVP, and he’s been an NBA All-Star eight times, earning the All-Star Game MVP twice. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2009 and the All-NBA First Team in 2016 and 2017. Russell was the NBA assists leader in 2018 and 2019 and the scoring champion in 2015 and 2017.

Real Estate: Westbrook’s Luxurious Lifestyle

In 2015, Russell purchased Scott Disick’s home in Beverly Crest, Los Angeles, for $4.65 million. He initially listed it for $6 million in 2019 but later dropped the price to $5.35 million. In 2018, Westbrook splurged on a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Brentwood for $19.75 million, which he listed for nearly $30 million in 2022. He also owned several homes in Oklahoma, including a 3-bedroom house sold for $426,900 in 2020 and an 8,394-square-foot mansion listed for $1.7 million in 2019.