Russell Westbrook reportedly turned down a two-year offer from the Wizards and was also uninterested in a reduced role with the Kings before choosing to retire on his own terms.
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Russell Westbrook had multiple opportunities to extend his NBA career before deciding to retire, including a two-year contract offer from one of his former teams.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Washington Wizards made a two-year offer to bring Westbrook back to the nation's capital, where he previously spent the 2020-21 season.
"Sources say Westbrook – not the team – is the party that ended those talks," Stein reported.
According to Stein, the 37-year-old was apparently unhappy with either the specific terms of Washington's proposal, the role being offered, or a combination of both.
Rather than accept a situation that did not fit what he wanted at this stage of his career, Westbrook ultimately announced his retirement on Aug. 12, ending an 18-season NBA run.
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Kings also explored Westbrook reunion
Washington was not Westbrook's only potential path back to the NBA.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line previously reported that the Sacramento Kings were considering bringing Westbrook back for another season as they searched for a veteran point guard to help mentor lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr.
However, the situation would have been considerably different from Westbrook's role with Sacramento last season.
With Acuff becoming a priority in the Kings' backcourt, Westbrook would have faced a reduced role centered more on providing veteran leadership and mentorship than playing the significant minutes he received during the 2025-26 campaign.
Reports indicated that such a role did not appeal to him.
Westbrook had averaged 15.2 points per game during his final season with Sacramento.
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Westbrook chose retirement on his own terms
The developments make clear that Westbrook did not retire simply because there was no NBA interest in him.
Washington was willing to offer him a two-year deal, while Sacramento explored another reunion, but neither opportunity provided the combination of contract terms and role that Westbrook wanted.
Instead, the former MVP chose to walk away.
Westbrook retired as a nine-time All-Star, the 2016-17 NBA MVP and the league's all-time leader with 209 triple-doubles.
He also finished his career with 27,176 points and 10,351 assists, ranking fifth in NBA history in the latter category at the time of his retirement.
After beginning his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization in 2008, Westbrook later played for the Houston Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Kings.
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