League sources tell The Stein Line that Washington made a two-year offer to bring Russell Westbrook back to the nation's capital. Sources say Westbrook — not the team — is the party that ended those talks. The 37-year-old apparently balked at the specific terms of the offer and/or the role presented and has decided to stop playing instead.
More on Russell Westbrook: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
League sources tell The Stein Line that Washington made a two-year offer to bring Russell Westbrook back to the nation's capital. Sources say Westbrook — not the team — is the party that ended those talks. The 37-year-old apparently balked at the specific terms of the offer and/or the role presented and has decided to stop playing instead. — 8/17/2026 marcstein.substack.com
Russell Westbrook
announced his retirement from professional basketball after a remarkable 18-year career, but his name was recently brought up by many Pinoy fans as a potential replacement for former NBA player DeQuan Jones, who suffered a gut-wrenching leg injury while playing as an import for the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). However, despite his significant ties to Westbrook after spending the 2025-26 season with the future Hall of Famer on the Sacramento Kings as a player development coach, Road Warriors head coach Jimmy Alapag dismissed the possibility of the former NBA star joining his squad and the Filipino league. “Unfortunately, Russ is not on our short list,” Alapag said, via Spin.ph. “Maybe he will come visit, but no stints in the PBA." — 8/17/2026 BasketNews
Serge Ibaka: What a blessing it has been to share a big part of my career with you!! Drafted on the same night by the same team in 2008… time flies. I learned so much from you and had so much fun playing with you. One of the best competitors ever and one of the best teammates I ever had. I wish everyone had the chance to know you up close like I did. Congrats on an incredible career @russwest44 — 8/14/2026 x.com
NBACentral: Austin Rivers calls out the media and NBA fans for failing to appreciate Russell Westbrook during his career, and predicts James Harden, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell won’t get their proper respect until they’re gone (h/t @big_business_) — 8/14/2026 x.com
The Draymond Green Show: Draymond responds to the reaction to Russell Westbrook's retirement. “Basketball fans suck, because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat padding, how he mess up teams, 'Westbrick'... and the moment he stepped aside, 'ahh man, y’all did Russ wrong, can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team'... Why is it that he has to announce his retirement unexpectedly to finally see the love that he deserves?” — 8/14/2026 x.com
Draymond Green on fan reaction to Russell Westbrook retiring: Basketball fans suck. And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category, too. But basketball fans suck. Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat pad, and how he mess up teams. And when you’re in this game and that’s all you see, that’s all you hear, you power through it. You fight through it because that’s who we are. That’s what we do. But man, that sh*t is irritating and it bothers you. Make no mistake about it. Westbrick and all the things y’all said about him. And the moment he step aside, oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on the team. What? How, wow how he played the game. Gonna miss him and not in the NBA. All these great beautiful things. Why can’t we feel that when you going? — 8/13/2026 YouTube
Ted Leonisis: Much respect and homage to Russell Westbrook on his retirement. A true lion and one of the most competitive, highest motor athletes ever. Michael Jordan. Alex Ovechkin. Russell Westbrook. All seemingly with gears others simply didn’t have. A Hall of Fame player, teammate, dad, husband and individual. I loved his spirit and his body of work. Just wish we could have seen him in a @WashWizards jersey some more! This signed jersey has a special place amongst my most treasured sports memorabilia. Thank you, Russ. — 8/13/2026 x.com
Kevin Durant: We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career. — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5
Kevin Durant: It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5
Kevin Durant: I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine…. a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Russell Westbrook turned down two-year offer from Wizards before retiring
