Russell Westbrook chose retirement
Russell Westbrook announced his NBA retirement on August 12, 2026, ending an 18-season career at age 37. Washington had offered the nine-time All-Star a two-year contract before he made that decision.
Westbrook previously spent the 2020-21 season with Washington after arriving from Houston in the John Wall trade. A return would have brought him back five full seasons after his only Wizards campaign ended.
Russell Westbrook ended Wizards talks
Russell Westbrook reportedly ended negotiations with Washington after receiving the two-year offer. The 37-year-old guard objected to the specific contract terms, proposed role, or some combination of both factors before choosing retirement.
Washington’s proposal did not carry a publicly reported salary figure. Westbrook, rather than the Wizards, reportedly ended discussions after considering the contract terms and expected role attached to a possible return.
Russell Westbrook faced a new Wizards roster
Russell Westbrook would have joined a changed Washington backcourt. The Wizards acquired Trae Young from Atlanta on January 9, 2026, while guards Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson remained part of the roster.
Washington also selected AJ Dybantsa first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23 after finishing 17-65. Westbrook’s previous Wizards season came in 2020-21, before those newer pieces reached the franchise.
Russell Westbrook faced a smaller Kings role
Russell Westbrook also had interest from Sacramento after his one-year contract expired. The Kings reportedly considered bringing him back in a reduced role behind rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. for 2026-27.
Sacramento selected Acuff seventh overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and viewed him as a point guard for the future. A smaller assignment than Westbrook’s 2025-26 role reportedly did not appeal to him.
Russell Westbrook remained a Kings starter
Russell Westbrook remained a regular starter for Sacramento during the 2025-26 season. He appeared in 64 games, started 58, and averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in 28.9 minutes.
Westbrook made 42.7% of his field goal attempts, 33.8% from three-point range, and 69.4% at the line. Those numbers came during his only season with the Kings before his contract expired in the 2026 offseason.
Russell Westbrook produced in Washington
Russell Westbrook produced one of his strongest all-around seasons with Washington in 2020-21. Across 65 games, he averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 11.7 assists while setting career highs in rebounding and assists.
Westbrook also secured his third NBA assist title and averaged a triple-double for the fourth time in five seasons. Washington recovered from 15 games below .500 and reached the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Russell Westbrook set Wizards records
Russell Westbrook recorded 38 triple-doubles during his only Wizards season, the third-highest single-season total in NBA history at that point. He also became Washington’s franchise leader after only 38 games with the team.
On May 10, 2021, Westbrook recorded his 182nd career triple-double in Atlanta and passed Oscar Robertson’s previous mark of 181. Robertson’s record had stood for more than 47 years before Westbrook moved ahead.
Russell Westbrook won the 2017 MVP
Russell Westbrook won the 2016-17 NBA Most Valuable Player award after averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. He became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double.
Westbrook recorded 42 triple-doubles that season, breaking Robertson’s former single-season record of 41. Oklahoma City finished with 47 wins and earned the sixth seed in the Western Conference before entering the playoffs.
Russell Westbrook led NBA triple doubles
Russell Westbrook finished his regular-season career with 1,301 games and averages of 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds. His 10,351 assists ranked fifth in NBA history at the time of his retirement.
Westbrook also closed with 27,176 regular-season points and an NBA-record 209 triple-doubles. Across 135 playoff appearances, he averaged 22.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 6.7 rebounds while appearing in postseason games for several franchises.
Russell Westbrook collected major honors
Russell Westbrook earned nine NBA All-Star selections, two scoring titles, and three league assist crowns during his career. He also received Most Valuable Player honors at the event in both 2015 and 2016.
The NBA selected Westbrook for its 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, recognizing his place among the league’s chosen historical players. He also earned an Olympic gold medal with the United States in London in 2012.
Fun fact: Russell Westbrook is predominantly left-handed in everyday life, yet he shoots a basketball right-handed, an unusual twist for one of the NBA’s most recognizable guards.
Russell Westbrook was drafted by Seattle
Russell Westbrook entered the NBA as the fourth overall selection in the 2008 draft after two college seasons at UCLA. Seattle made the pick before relocating to Oklahoma City ahead of his rookie year.
Westbrook spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Thunder and made eight of nine All-Star appearances there. Oklahoma City reached the 2012 NBA Finals with Kevin Durant and James Harden alongside him.
Russell Westbrook played for seven teams
Russell Westbrook played for seven NBA franchises across 18 seasons. After Oklahoma City, his career included stops with Houston, Washington, the Lakers, the Clippers, Denver, and Sacramento, where he completed the 2025-26 campaign.
Westbrook moved among five teams during his final six seasons, in contrast to his 11-year Thunder run. His lone Houston campaign produced 27.2 points per game and resulted in his ninth career All-Star selection.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s unusual ejection turned a close Liberty game into one unexpected moment. Wondering how a thrown shoe led to her exit and affected the finish? Dive into what happened and why officials made the call.
Russell Westbrook closed with a video
Russell Westbrook announced his retirement through a 3.5-minute social media video on August 12, 2026. The presentation used a museum setting and framed his departure as a personal decision to close an 18-season NBA career.
Sacramento later congratulated Westbrook on 18 NBA seasons and said the organization was grateful to have been part of his career. His farewell followed an offseason in which Washington and Sacramento pursued the veteran guard.
Magic Johnson’s business moves helped shape his path beyond basketball. Wondering what he sold before joining the Dodgers’ $2.15 billion ownership deal? Explore the decision that came before one of sports’ biggest investments.
Would you have preferred to see Russell Westbrook accept a smaller role in the NBA, or was retirement the right ending to his 18-season career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
