Russell Westbrook is drawing curiosity from EuroLeague groups as his NBA choices proceed to shrink, based on Evan Sidery. The nine-time All-Star reportedly desires to stay within the NBA, however a transfer abroad has emerged as essentially the most sensible path at the moment out there.
Sidery reported Tuesday that Westbrook is receiving robust curiosity from EuroLeague golf equipment, whereas his NBA market has remained limited. The veteran guard has reportedly obtained little to no curiosity from NBA groups as coaching camp approaches, creating uncertainty round whether or not he’ll start the 2026-27 season on a roster.
A transfer to Europe would characterize a serious shift for some of the achieved guards in NBA historical past. Westbrook has spent 18 seasons within the league, taking part in for seven franchises over the past 9 years, together with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
Regardless of his unsure free-agent market, Westbrook remained productive through the 2025-26 season. The 37-year-old performed 64 video games for Sacramento, beginning 58, and averaged 15.2 factors, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 29.0 minutes per sport. He shot 42.7% from the sphere and related on 33.8% of his three-point makes an attempt, his greatest mark from past the arc because the 2022-23 season.
Westbrook’s profession résumé stays among the many strongest of his era. In 1,301 regular-season video games, he has averaged 20.9 factors, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds whereas turning into the NBA’s all-time chief in triple-doubles.
His best particular person season got here in 2016-17 with Oklahoma Metropolis, when he averaged 31.6 factors, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists to change into the primary participant since Oscar Robertson to common a triple-double for a whole season. Westbrook later repeated the achievement in three extra seasons.
Nonetheless, his function has modified considerably as he has aged. After spending a lot of his profession as a main offensive engine, Westbrook has transitioned right into a veteran contributor who gives playmaking, rebounding and defensive vitality. He completed seventh in Sixth Man of the 12 months voting through the 2024-25 season with Denver earlier than returning to a beginning function in Sacramento.
A number of EuroLeague contenders may view Westbrook’s expertise and talent to create offense as worthwhile. The 2025-26 EuroLeague season featured robust performances from established golf equipment, with Olympiacos ending first within the common season at 26-12 earlier than winning the championship. Actual Madrid completed third at 24-14 and reached the Closing 4, whereas Fenerbahce additionally completed 24-14 and superior to the semifinals.
Westbrook’s management and transition skill may attraction to groups in search of an skilled ball-handler able to controlling video games. His skill to assault the basket, create pictures for teammates and impression a number of areas of the sport stays worthwhile, at the same time as NBA groups have change into extra cautious about committing roster spots to veteran guards.
Earlier within the offseason, the Miami Heat were mentioned as a possible destination if LeBron James signed elsewhere, however that chance didn’t develop. With NBA curiosity at the moment restricted, Westbrook faces one of many largest choices of his profession: proceed ready for an NBA alternative or start a brand new chapter abroad.
