Russell Westbrook had an opportunity to return to the Washington Wizards before deciding to retire from the NBA, according to Marc Stein. Washington reportedly offered the 37-year-old guard a two-year contract, but Westbrook balked at the terms and/or the role presented before choosing to end his 18-year career.
Westbrook officially announced his retirement on August 12 after also receiving an offer from the Sacramento Kings. He finished his career in Sacramento during the 2025-26 season, having previously played for Washington, Oklahoma City, Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Denver.
The Wizards’ interest carried significance because Westbrook previously spent the 2020-21 season in Washington, averaging 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds in 65 games. He recorded 38 triple-doubles that season, tying the single-season NBA record at the time, and helped Washington reach the playoffs.
Washington’s current roster looks substantially different from the one Westbrook joined five years ago. The Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65 before winning the No. 1 overall pick and selecting AJ Dybantsa from BYU.
The organization has since added veteran pieces around its young core. Washington acquired Deandre Ayton from the Los Angeles Lakers for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks, while Khris Middleton returned to the franchise on a three-year, $17.6 million contract through a six-team sign-and-trade.
Trae Young also re-signed with Washington on a four-year, $212 million contract after averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists in five games for the Wizards following his acquisition. Alex Sarr led Washington in scoring at 16.3 points per game while adding 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 48 appearances.
Westbrook ultimately leaves the NBA as the league’s all-time triple-double leader with 209. He also won the 2017 MVP award after averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Across 1,301 regular-season games, Westbrook averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds. He finished 14th in NBA history with 27,176 points and fifth with 10,351 assists.
