Kings star Russell Westbrook bluntly addresses NBA retirement – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 2025-26 NBA season will be new Kings guard Russell Westbrookâ€s first campaign in Sacramento and the starâ€s 18th overall in the league.

So, given that the Kings are Westbrookâ€s seventh different team and “The Brodie†is 36 years old, itâ€s fair to wonder if the coming season will be his last.

Westbrook was asked if thatâ€d be the case on Sunday at Kings practice, and he bluntly shut it down.

“Yeah, right,†the former NBA MVP told reporters when asked if heâ€d retire upon the seasonâ€s end.

The idea of calling it quits isnâ€t in Westbrookâ€s DNA.

Instead, the 6-foot-4 guard, with career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists, intends to keep playing for the foreseeable future.

Westbrook followed his frank response by sharing what keeps him going.

“Family,†he said. “My family. My supporters. The ability to be grateful and blessed to be able to wake up and have limbs and things that work, and be able to use them. Using this platform to build other parts of my life and business. 

“You know, just the overall fun I have while playing and enjoying the game; I think itâ€s something I never ever take for granted, and Iâ€m thankful to be able to do that again.â€

The last few seasons have been rough for Westbrook. 

But the Kings are betting on the veteran to remain a productive player after he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists over 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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