Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons

Key Points:

• Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons and seven teams, choosing to step away despite offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.
• Drafted fourth overall in 2008 by the Seattle SuperSonics (who became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the Thunder, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in scoring, assists, rebounds, and steals.
• Westbrook won the 2017 MVP award after averaging a triple-double for the season and holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles with 209, surpassing Oscar Robertson's 181.
• Over his career, Westbrook was a nine-time All-Star, ranks fifth in career assists, 14th in scoring with 27,176 points, and became the all-time leader in rebounds by a point guard.
• Despite discussions with the Kings about a potential return in a reduced role, Westbrook decided to retire amid challenges veteran players face securing contracts under current NBA collective bargaining agreement rules.