Russell Westbrook opts for retirement instead of Wizards deal
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 10:39 AM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026

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.
- •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.
- 10:39 AMYahoo Sports — Russell Westbrook Chose Retirement After Reportedly Balking at $4.7B Franchise’s Two-Year Deal With “Specific Terms”
"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.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 11:01 AMFormer Sixers big Chris Webber ranked No. 16 power forward in history
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 11:00 AM‘Better Than Trae Young Any Day,’ ‘Respect’ — NBA World Reacts As Insider Sheds Light on Russell Westbrook ‘Ending Talks’ With Wizards Ahead of Retirement
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 7:37 AMRoad Warriors head coach Jimmy Alapag dismissed the …
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 3:05 AMCould Jaden Hardy find a role with the Lakers?
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 1:00 AMHouston Rockets jersey history No.27 - Zaid Abdul-Aziz (1978)
NBA•Aug 17, 2026, 12:26 AMProjected NBA Trade Reunites Lakers With $90M Star PF, 2020 Bubble Champ
