The 2026-27 NBA season is now officially underway, but a very familiar face is missing. Future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons on Aug. 12, despite the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards being interested in his services.

Why did Westbrook pass up a chance to keep playing and retire? Well, the 37-year-old was asked that very question during an appearance on Good Morning America on Thursday.

“I just felt for me it was a timing thing,” Westbrook said. “I’ve played 18 full seasons, and I gave the game everything I had. Every night I competed at the highest level. Every time I stepped on that floor, I played like it was my last. I don’t think you can do much more for the game by doing that.”

Westbrook gave his all on the court every single night. Whether it be the first game of the regular season, a clash against some bottom-feeder in the middle of the campaign, or Game 7 of a playoff series, he was going to compete as hard as he could.

“It’s very important to me to be able to show up and be someone that people can count on,” Westbrook said. “I may not make all the shots. I may not make all the right passes, and there’s going to be mistakes in the game, but for me, my energy and effort and focus is something I never could have a night off of.”

Combine that relentless motor with skill and incredible athletic prowess, and you get a phenomenal basketball career. Westbrook won one MVP, two scoring titles, and three assists titles. He made nine All-Star and nine All-NBA teams and was voted into the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Westbrook, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, is also notably the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. Incredibly, he averaged a triple-double in four separate seasons.

Now, Westbrook obviously wasn’t that same force of nature anymore, but he still played fairly well last season. He put up 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Kings in 2025-26. They wanted him back, as did the Wizards, another former team, but he rejected them and walked away from the game.

Westbrook’s former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant was sad upon hearing about his retirement. Durant felt he could have played another six years, but that might be a stretch.

Westbrook could have carried on for a couple more years, but you respect the fact that he wanted to walk away on his own terms. Now, while he achieved a lot in his career, he didn’t win an NBA championship. Westbrook believes that doesn’t impact his legacy, as he doesn’t tie it to his career.

“I think legacy is something that, in sports world, as you know, we throw around; it’s based around championships and trophies and all the things,” Westbrook said. “And I just think opposite of that. I think legacy is based around what you able to do with the platform and things you’ve been given and how you help to impact and inspire other people.”

Westbrook grew up in Los Angeles and has done a lot of good work in the community through his “Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation.” He has now been rewarded for his efforts, with Oct. 9 named Russell Westbrook Why Not? Day in Los Angeles. Westbrook has also expressed a desire to be a torchbearer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and here’s hoping he achieves that goal.