Russell Westbrook retired from professional basketball on Wednesday, August 12, ending an 18-season NBA career that made him one of the league’s most prominent point guards.
The 37-year-old decided to retire despite receiving offseason contract offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Westbrook announced the decision on social media, thanking basketball for his career and describing the experience as a memorable journey.
His retirement followed several seasons of declining production as he moved away from the explosive form that defined much of his career. Westbrook also struggled to establish a consistent role after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
The source material said his departure came as older NBA players faced a changing contract environment under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. His agent, Jeff Schwartz, founder and CEO of Excel Sports Management, also pointed to challenges experienced by older players seeking contracts.
Read: DiJonai Carrington Posts ‘White Privilege’ After WNBA Ejection
Westbrook nevertheless had options to continue playing before deciding to end his career on his own terms. He has not announced what he plans to do after retirement.
