While some have suggested the Oklahoma City Thunder reunite with Russell Westbrook , the veteran guard who remains a free agent amid preseason, Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony strongly disagrees. Last season, Westbrook, 36, proved he can still contribute to a championship-contending team such as the Denver Nuggets. Still, do the 2025-26 title-favorite defending champion Thunder need Westbrook?

For Anthony, the answer to that question is simple , he answered, per his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.

“No, he can't help them. They're the champs,” Anthony said. “You cannot bring Russell Westbrook back to OKC and don't play him. He cannot go from the greatest player in your franchise history to maybe playing or maybe not playing. It doesn't work. You diminish that man's legacy by that.

See Full Page