After 18 seasons in the NBA, Russell Westbrook decided to retire ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Westbrook announced his decision on Wednesday in a video on social media that was narrated by Michael B. Jordan.
Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026
You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
Westbrook had been floating around NBA free agency, but it turns out that two teams had offered him a spot, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. Those two teams were the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Wizards.
Westbrook spent his final NBA season with the Kings, playing in 64 games with 58 starts, and he spent the 2021-21 season with the Wizards before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
At the start of August, Westbrook admitted that he wasn’t thinking much about his free agency stall.
“I don’t, honestly,” Westbrook said when asked about still being on the market. “I love playing basketball. If it happens, it works, and that’s my plan.”
Westbrook’s NBA resume ends with plenty of accolades. He won the NBA MVP award in 2017, made the All-Star team nine times, was named All-NBA nine times, and is the all-time league leader in triple-doubles.
Now, Westbrook’s career comes to an end, although it turns out that he did have offers on the table to play another season.
