Russell Westbrook Bypassed Offer from Wizards for Retirement

A reunion with Russell Westbrook may have actually been a closer reality than some realized.

The NBA world saw one of the top point guards over the last decade hang it up after nine-time All Star and former MVP Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons in the NBA. Westbrook was in the rumor mill all offseason as a potential addition for a handful of teams, which also included the Washington Wizards.

ESPN reported that the veteran point guard had offers from both the Sacramento Kings and Wizards, instead electing for retirement with a chance to end his career on his terms.

The Kings were also a sensible suitor given Westbrook emerged as a key piece off the floor while also starting in 58 games and averaging over 15 points in 29 minutes with the team this past season. As for Washington, Westbrook previously suited up for one season in Washington when he and Bradley Beal teamed up to guide the team to what has proven to be the team's last postseason appearance.

It marked a brief appearance after the Wizards lost in five games to the Philadelphia Sixers in the opening round, yet Westbrook was a key part of that team after arriving as part of the John Wall trade.

In his lone season, Westbrook averaged 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds to make the Wizards the only tenure whose team stats materialized into a triple-double.

Fast forward to now, Westbrook was likely staring at a minimum role along the current roster where he would be able to round out the on-ball rotation with Trae Young starting, Bub Carrington coming off the bench along with others like AJ Dybantsa and Will Riley who could see additional opportunities running the offense. Yet with several point guards on the roster also capable of playing off the ball, the minutes to round out the lineup to fill the 15th spot may have been available, but in the end, the Wizards will look elsewhere.

As Westbrook now prepares for his expected Hall of Fame announcement in the years ahead, the Wizards still have the 15th roster spot to fill with veteran DeMar DeRozan the main free agent the team has been linked to in recent weeks. Others like Gabe Vincent and Aaron Holiday have been tied to the Wizards through the summer with uncertainty who -- or when -- general manager Will Dawkins ultimately fills the roster.