Russell Westbrook did not leave the NBA because the phone stopped ringing.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Westbrook had offseason offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, but chose to step away from the game on his own terms. The decision closes an 18-season career that stretched across seven teams and made him one of the league's defining guards of his era.
Westbrook announced the retirement on social media Wednesday with a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. In the post, the 37-year-old wrote, "Sometimes you don't even know when you've already watched the end," then added, "You had to be there. And now it's over."
The Kings and Wizards detail adds a sharper edge to the exit. Westbrook still had possible NBA paths, including returns to places connected to the late stage of his career, but he chose control over one more stop.
He leaves as a former MVP, a nine-time All-Star and the NBA's all-time triple-double leader. The final move was not another roster fit. It was Westbrook deciding the ending himself.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.