Russell Westbrook Announces NBA Retirement Decision on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 3:41 PM ET

Point guard Russell Westbrook is set to play in his 18th NBA season after agreeing to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings will be the seventh organization Westbrook has suited up for in his career. The 36-year-old veteran struggled to find a landing spot during the offseason due to concerns about his age, fit and the limited cap space across the league.

While Westbrook is no longer the MVP-caliber franchise centerpiece he was during his prime, he has proven he can still be a valuable contributor in the backcourt, providing stability to the Kings rotation. Last season with the Denver Nuggets, he appeared in 75 games and started 36, averaging 27.9 minutes, 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range.

NBA guard Russell Westbrook© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

As Westbrook prepares for another season looking to help Sacramento stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference, speculation has continued to grow about his potential retirement, especially due to the late timing of his contract this past offseason.

However, during a Kings practice on Sunday, Westbrook addressed the retirement rumors and shared that he has made the decision to continue playing beyond this season, according to NBA TV’s Chris Haynes.

New Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook says there is no plan to retire after this season, which is his 18th year.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 19, 2025

Westbrook also shared his excitement about joining his new squad on Sunday, now that he has put to rest any talk of a potential retirement tour. He noted that what intrigues him most is the doubt surrounding the Kings and their chances for success. “Russell Westbrook on the most intriguing aspect about joining the Sacramento Kings: he said it’s the doubt everyone has about the success this team can have,” reported NBC Sacramento’s Sean Cunningham.

Westbrook will look to be a productive piece for Sacramento in the 2025–26 season and attempt to surprise the rest of the NBA. Regardless of how it plays out, he has built one of the most accomplished careers in league history. A former MVP in 2017, Westbrook has earned nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Star selections and two scoring titles. The veteran guard has led the league in assists three times and holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles with 203.

As Westbrook turns the page, his presence in Sacramento adds experience, intensity and a legacy that continues to evolve.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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