It looks like Russell Westbrook’s glittering NBA career is nearing its end. After 17 years in the NBA, what’s next for the former Oklahoma City Thunder man who couldn’t win his first NBA title? The future looks bleak for the Denver Nuggets, and we could see him switching teams or even countries.
With a player option on his contract right now, as he’s earning $3,468,960 for the 2025-26 season, reports emerged about a European franchise preparing to offer a mammoth deal. A European reporter claimed the agreement will have a ‘salary never seen before,’ attempting to lure Westbrook to play in Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Russell Westbrook Could Pack His Bags for Europe
According to European basketball reporter Nemanja Žorič, he posted a comment on X, stating, “Hapoel Tel Aviv has made initial contact with former NBA All Star Russell Westbrook. Im told the Eurocup champions are planning to make him an offer with a salary never seen before in European basketball.”
Hapoel Tel Aviv has made initial contact with former NBA All Star Russell Westbrook.
Im told the Eurocup champions are planning to make him an offer with a salary never seen before in European basketball.— Nemanja Žorič (@zoric_nemanja) June 4, 2025
It’s not the first time Hapoel Tel Aviv has targeted NBA players. Patrick Beverley signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the team but parted ways in February 2025. Likewise, Nate Robinson played in the Israeli Basketball Premier League in 2016 as the Slam Dunk champion, experiencing the European atmosphere. With Westbrook now 37, he looks to collect his final massive paycheck.
Looking at the contracts of European basketball players, they don’t get paid as much as they do in the NBA. Even the veterans in the NBA get paid $10 million, but the highest-paid contract in Europe was for Nikola Mirotić. He had a brief history in the NBA, playing for several years for the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans.
He signed a three-year, €26 million ($29 million) contract with Barcelona, making him the highest-paid player in the league. Although it’s doubtful Westbrook would receive a similar contract, considering his age and profile, it would be surprising to see him play in the European leagues after his years in the NBA.
He has investments in the USA and other ventures, and one more year left on his contract with the Nuggets. If the Nuggets could make some trades and build a better team around Nikola Jokić to compete, he could stay around for one more year before he tries his luck in Europe and achieves his dream of getting an NBA title.
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He averaged 11.7 points but didn’t shoot efficiently from the floor, attempting 10.2 shots and only managing an FG% of 39.1. Thus, Westbrook will have a busy offseason, and fans want to see his next decision.
