Russell Westbrook opts for retirement instead of Wizards deal

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 10:39 AM

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Russell Westbrook opts for retirement instead of Wizards deal
Summary

Russell Westbrook has decided to retire rather than accept a two-year contract offer from the Washington Wizards. The report states that the 37-year-old balked at the specific terms of the contract, which likely included a limited role on the team. Westbrook, who played for the Wizards during the 2020-21 season, saw a decline in his performance since then. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season with the Sacramento Kings. The Wizards are looking to the future with new talents, including Trae Young and Anthony Davis, after missing the playoffs in recent seasons.

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Status Watch
  • Westbrook chose retirement over a Wizards contract offer.
  • Report mentions potential limited role as a factor in his decision.
  • He averaged a triple-double during his last full season with the Wizards.
  • Washington aims to return to the playoffs with new roster additions.
  • Last season, Westbrook averaged 15.2 points in 26 games for the Kings.
Latest Updates
  • 10:39 AMYahoo SportsRussell Westbrook Chose Retirement After Reportedly Balking at $4.7B Franchise’s Two-Year Deal With “Specific Terms”
What they're saying
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Russell Westbrook had a chance to continue his NBA career for at least two more seasons, but he chose not to. According to insider Marc Stein’s latest report published on Sunday, Westbrook had a two-year contract offer from the Washington Wizards.

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