Russell Westbrook Answers Retirement Question With Incredulous Reaction

After being left out in the cold all summer long, nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook has finally found a new NBA home, as we reported this past week on his deal with the Sacramento Kings. He reported to Kings' camp on Sunday, and one of the first questions he was asked by the media caught him off guard:

'Is it possible this is the last year in the league for you?'

Russell Westbrook on potentially retiring after this season:

“Yeah right.” 😭

(via @MattGeorgeSAC)pic.twitter.com/tMg5piAysn
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 19, 2025

“Yeah, right," was all Russ could say, while scrunching up his face at the mere thought of retirement.

He is, of course, nowhere near the dominant triple-double beast he once was, but Westbrook had a fine season coming off the bench last season with the Denver Nuggets. But he turned down a $3.4 million player option to become a free agent.

It took over four months, but he signed a $3.6 million minimum salary deal with Sacramento this past week.

The biggest question with the Kings should be centered around the fact that, the last we checked, there was still only one ball used in play during NBA games, while the Kings now have four ball-dominant players to share the rock, in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Westbrook.

Granted, they can each bring a different talent to the table. DeRozan is the master of the mid-range, LaVine can bomb it from long range, Sabonis has size, great post moves and a wonderful ability to pass the ball as well, while Westbrook can be the playmaker.

As for that retirement question, Russ is entering his 18th NBA season and will be turning 37 just a few weeks into the campaign. But it sounds like, from his reaction, that he's not contemplating hanging up his sneakers anytime soon.