Former Kings PG Westbrook Chose Retirement Over Lesser Role

Russell Westbrook shocked the NBA world when he announced his retirement on Aug. 12, even though he could still start and contribute to winning at 37.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards offered contracts to the 18-year veteran. Two opportunities in front of him, and he chose to walk away on his own terms.

While those two teams gave him a chance to play his 19th season, he would not have the same role.

Sacramento drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in this year's draft, and Washington selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick. Naturally, the rookies' development requires extended minutes and time with the ball in their hands.

That alone would reduce Westbrook's role after a season where he outplayed the veteran's minimum contract. There was too much of a disconnect between the two parties.

Westbrook started 58 games for the Kings last season and averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The shadows of the triple-double king re-emerged at different points throughout the year to power his team to victory. Sacramento went 3-3 in games he stuffed the stat sheet.

“Russ went out showing that he could. He wasn’t just a bench player at this time of his career anymore,” Matt George said on Monday's episode of 'The Matt and Kayla Show.' “He put up really impressive numbers, put up triple-doubles, had dominant performances, hit some big shots.”

That makes his decision to retire easier to understand. He wasn't going to end his career as a backend veteran, only offering a veteran voice instead of playing.

He did bring leadership to Sacramento, mentoring and playing with the younger players.

Westbrook developed a strong two-man game with rookie center Maxime Raynaud. The 7-foot-1 Frenchman had a career night against the San Antonio Spurs, with his veteran point guard finding him in the pick-and-roll on 17 of his 32 points. Raynaud credited his growth and success to Westbrook.

Acuff or Dybantsa could have benefited from that same hands-on leadership, but not at the cost of Westbrook's ability to contribute.

Nonetheless, he ended his illustrious career with many accolades to his name. He was named to the NBA's top 75, a 2017 league MVP, a nine-time All-Star, a nine-time All-NBA, a USA Olympic Gold Medalist and holds the record for triple-doubles at 209.

Westbrook had the power and awareness to understand when to call it a career, even when he still had some energy left in the tank for a few more seasons.