Russell Westbrook received a two-year contract offer from the Washington Wizards before announcing his retirement from the NBA, according to a report from Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Westbrook ended the talks himself after the terms and/or role did not appeal to him. The nine-time All-Star ultimately chose to walk away from the game on his own terms rather than continue playing under circumstances that failed to meet his expectations.
The development, reported Sunday, adds further detail to Westbrook’s decision to retire after 18 seasons. The former MVP had remained an unrestricted free agent into mid-August following his final campaign with the Sacramento Kings.
Westbrook announced his retirement on Aug. 12 with a social media post that included a career highlight video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. In the accompanying message, Westbrook wrote: “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over.”
Earlier reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania had indicated that both the Kings and Wizards presented offers to Westbrook this offseason. He declined those opportunities and elected to step away from professional basketball.
Stein’s latest reporting specified that the Wizards’ proposal spanned two years. The role envisioned for Westbrook in Washington reportedly did not align with what the veteran guard sought at this stage of his career.
Westbrook previously played for the Wizards during the 2020-21 season, when he averaged a triple-double with 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. That campaign marked the last time Washington reached the playoffs until recent roster overhauls.
In his most recent season with Sacramento, Westbrook appeared in 64 games and averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists while starting 58 contests. The Kings had discussed a potential return in a reduced capacity as a mentor for rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr.
At 37 years old, Westbrook leaves the league as its all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double in four different seasons, including a record 42 triple-doubles during his 2016-17 MVP campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Over his career, Westbrook averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists across 1,301 regular-season games. He ranks 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 27,176 points and fifth in assists with 10,351.
Selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 draft shortly before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City, Westbrook spent his first 11 seasons with the Thunder. He later played for the Houston Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Kings.
A nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA selection, Westbrook also won two scoring titles and three assist titles. He earned a gold medal with the United States at the 2012 London Olympics and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
The Wizards, who re-signed Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million contract and feature Anthony Davis along with the No. 1 overall draft pick, had viewed Westbrook as a potential veteran presence and backup option. Front office executives with prior connections to Westbrook were involved in the discussions.
By ending negotiations and retiring, Westbrook ensured that his final chapter came on terms he controlled.
His decision closes a career defined by relentless energy, statistical dominance and an unwavering competitive drive that left an indelible mark on the league.
