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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."
Jimmy Alapag thankful for Russell Westbrook experience in final season with Kings
Russell Westbrook's retirement announcement coincided with the NLEX Road Warriors' search for a new import following DeQuan Jones' injury. In the end, the Filipino team eventually tapped another former NBA wing to continue their campaign, signing Deonte Burton.
Regardless, Jimmy Alapag is fully appreciative of the time and experience that he had with Westbrook from last year in Sacramento.
Averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 64 appearances, Westbrook cemented a strong, lasting impression as a veteran in his final NBA season as a King.
Westbrook capped off his NBA career as one of the greatest players in basketball. The league's all-time leader in triple-doubles made is the 2017 NBA MVP, nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA member, and a key part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.
“I’m extremely thankful and really honored that I had an opportunity to spend his last season in the NBA together with him,” Alapag said of Westbrook.