Kendrick Perkins reveals what ruined his Russell Westbrook friendship

NBA player-turned-media personality Kendrick Perkins revealed that he’s no longer on speaking terms with his former teammate, Russell Westbrook.

The pair, who competed for an NBA championship with the Thunder, fell out after Perkins delivered a warning to Westbrook during a television broadcast a few years ago — cautionary advice that proved extremely telling ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Back when Westbrook was on the Lakers, the ESPN analyst urged the former MVP to “temper it down” or he might run himself out of the league, drawing from conversations he’d had with various NBA general managers.

And with less than a month to go before opening night, Westbrook finds himself without a team to play for. 

“This very situation, this moment right here, that we’re in – Russell Westbrook not being on a roster – is what hurt me and Russell Westbrook’s personal relationship,” Perkins told Richard Jefferson during a recent episode of their Road Trippin’ podcast.

Westbrook was deeply insulted by the warning, and the situation escalated to a point where their wives got involved, according to Perkins. 

“After that, our relationship was over with,” Perkins said.

“I ain’t doing nothing but doing my job,” he added. “I’m not killing Russ. I’m not killing him – these are reports.”

Those reports weren’t lying.

Westbrook declined his $3.47 million player option with the Nuggets after the 2024-25 season — and no one has come calling since. He averaged 21.2 points, eight assists and seven rebounds per game last season.

“But here we are, at this very moment, when Russ opted out of his last year in Denver … the only team that had interest, per reports, was Sacramento,” Perkins said. “And here we are, starting the season, and Russell Westbrook is not on a roster.”

Time will tell if Westbrook takes the court this season, just like it confirmed that he probably should have listened to his former teammate.