Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) reacts after a play during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Former NBA All-Star Zach Randolph recently recorded an episode of the ‘Out the Mud’ podcast with Tony Allen, where he spoke about Russell Westbrook potentially coming out of retirement.
“This man is supposed to be in the league for another three or four years at least. I’d like to see him with the Heat. Brodie got a lot left in him. I just saw his little brother yesterday, Ray. He might be back,” Randolph said.
Randolph seems to base this conclusion on a conversation that he apparently had with Russell Westbrook’s young brother, Raynard Westbrook. But given how Westbrook has bid farewell to his playing career, it doesn’t look like he will suit up again.
Russell Westbrook ended his final season in the NBA (2025-26) averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the floor and 33.8% from behind the three-point line.
He reportedly had offers from teams like the Kings and the Wizards to return as a veteran bench player, but apparently balked and retired instead. He was also linked to teams like the Heat and the Rockets in free agency, yet he chose to end his career as a player.
Westbrook is now focusing on spending time with his family, building business ventures, community philanthropy, and his other ownership roles. He apparently also rejected offers from Nick Wright and Ice Cube and could potentially pursue media and broadcasting roles, such as an analyst.
His new basketball company, Project B, and his fashion brand, Honor the Gift, are now the key focuses of his career. He may even consider a potential front office or ownership role in the future. But all of these require him to stay off the court.
Westbrook has already received flowers from his peers for his contributions to the game as a player. But he is a future Hall of Famer who may only be looking at a downhill journey if he returns to the court now at age 37.
It would be a storybook ending if he came back to play for the Thunder for one final season as a farewell tour. But I don’t expect him to come back just to be a showpiece on the bench and not contribute on the court.
In an 18-year NBA career, Westbrook averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 43.8% from the field. He holds the league record for most career triple-doubles (209).
Russell Westbrook has already called it a day for his basketball career, averaging phenomenal numbers that everyone respects. If a right knee meniscus tear in 2013 hadn’t derailed his championship window, he almost certainly would have an NBA ring today.
There is no doubt that Russell Westbrook could still be a key asset to the NBA world in multiple capacities. But I highly doubt that one of them is returning to the court as a player.
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