Kings star Russell Westbrook speaks bluntly about NBA retirement – NBC Sports Bay Area and California
The 2025-26 NBA season will be new Kings guard Russell Westbrook’s first season in Sacramento and 18th overall in the league.
So, given that the Kings are Westbrook’s seventh different team and “The Brodie” is 36 years old, it’s fair to wonder if next season will be his last.
Westbrook was asked if that would be the case Sunday at Kings practice, and he bluntly shut down.
“Yeah, right,” the former NBA MVP told reporters when asked if he would retire at the end of the season.
The idea of ending it is not in Westbrook’s DNA.
Instead, the 6-foot-4 guard, with career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists, plans to continue playing for the foreseeable future.
Westbrook followed up his candid response by sharing what keeps him going.
“Family,” he said. “My family. My supporters. The ability to be grateful and happy that I can wake up and have arts and things that work, and be able to use them. To use this platform to build other parts of my life and my business.
“You know, it’s just the overall enjoyment that I have while playing and enjoying the game; I think that’s something that I never take for granted and I’m grateful to be able to do it again.”
The last few seasons have been difficult for Westbrook.
But the Kings are betting the veteran will remain a productive player after averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in a promising 75 games a season ago.
And it appears Westbrook is betting on the Kings to help him have fun, as he avoids talk of retirement.
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