While fans were busy speculating about Russell Westbrook’s next destination, the 2017 MVP stunned the entire league with his unexpected decision to say goodbye to professional basketball.
Westbrook’s retirement drew a heartfelt tribute from the NBA world, including Oklahoma City Thunder Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
Russell Westbrook’s Retirement Earns Recognition From Thunder’s GM
Westbrook’s decision to retire from the NBA brought recognition from the franchise where his remarkable career began. The Thunder selected him fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, when the organization was still known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Following Westbrook’s shocking retirement announcement, Sam Presti praised the former MVP for the impact he made both on and off the court in a statement released by the team.
“Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor,” Presti said in his statement. “His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008, and he elevated the confidence and inspired our community every year thereafter.”
Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti:
“Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor.
His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008 and he elevated the confidence and inspired…
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 12, 2026
Westbrook went on to spend 11 seasons in Oklahoma City, establishing himself as one of the franchise’s greatest players while winning the 2016–17 NBA MVP award.
The 37-year-old developed into one of the NBA’s most explosive and fearless players with the Thunder. He also helped lead the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2012 before the Thunder ultimately fell to the Miami Heat.
“He built a Hall of Fame career not by making statements or simply by breaking records, he did it by showing us all the power of asking one simple question: ‘Why Not?” Presti added.
After ending his long run with the Thunder, Westbrook continued his NBA journey with the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets.
The nine-time NBA All-Star’s final NBA stop came with the Sacramento Kings last season, where he played under a one-year, $3.63 million veteran minimum contract.
Despite being in the later stages of his career, Westbrook continued to produce at a high level, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game for Sacramento.
Both the Wizards and Kings reportedly had interest in bringing Westbrook back for the upcoming season. However, Russ ultimately made a different decision this time, choosing to walk away from the NBA for good and close the book on his playing career on his own terms.
Westbrook now leaves the league with an extraordinary profile that includes NBA Top 75 honors, nine All-NBA selections, three assists titles, two scoring titles, two All-Star Game MVP awards, and, most notably, the NBA’s record for triple-doubles.
