LOS ANGELES, CA. — Labor Day weekend usually means NBA rosters are close to complete. This year, two names still remain unsigned: Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook. Both are veterans. Both are former stars. And both may enter training camp without teams.
NBA Insider Reveals Exact Reason Why Russell Westbrook Is Unsigned
A Market Gone Cold
Sam Amico of Hoops Wire reported the latest on the situation. The assessment was blunt. “I like both players, and I think they could help us,” one scout told Amico. “But honestly, no longer on anything more than minimum salaries. They’re limited in what they can do nowadays.”
That’s the reality. The once-premier point guards are staring at a market that refuses to budge. Simmons is a former No. 1 overall pick. Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer. Yet both remain unsigned in late August.
The Minimum Salary Divide
Neither player wants the veteran minimum. That gap could explain why Russell Westbrook remains unsigned with camp just weeks away. Another scout put it bluntly: “Look, this isn’t 2017 or 2019 anymore. If Westbrook goes unsigned, or Simmons, it’s not that big of a deal. You can find younger guys like them for cheaper.”
In other words, age and expectation have overtaken reputation.
Numbers Don’t Tell the Story
Westbrook still produced last year: 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds on 53.2 true shooting. He earned Sixth Man of the Year votes and posted four triple-doubles. Yet his leadership style and stubborn habits have cooled interest. Only the Sacramento Kings have been tied to him so far.
Simmons, meanwhile, averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. Brooklyn once considered a reunion. But after stockpiling five first-round picks on draft night, the Nets closed that door. Injury history and postseason struggles left the Clippers uninterested as well.
The “Delusional” Factor
The word making the rounds is “delusional.” That’s how insiders describe the salary expectations of Simmons and Westbrook. Teams see declining production, injury concerns, and locker room questions. Front offices aren’t rushing to sign them. “Clearly, no one is in a major rush,” one scout admitted.
The Waiting Game
For now, Russell Westbrook remains unsigned. So does Simmons. The NBA calendar moves forward, but the market has spoken. Both men must decide whether to adjust expectations—or risk watching the season start without them.
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