Could Washington Wizards Reunite with Russell Westbrook?

With Tuesday marking the official start of NBA free agency, could the Washington Wizards turn to a former guard to restock the depth?

According to Marc Stein, a reunion in the backcourt could materialize given the Wizards are reportedly interested in former point guard Russell Westbrook.

Now 37, Westbrook first arrived in Washington back in early December 2020 after being sent from the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Wall and a future lottery-protected first round pick. Westbrook went on to become a key part of the Wizards after starting in all 65 games he was available in 2020-21, averaging 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds, the fourth time over a five season span that the future Hall of Famer averaged a triple-double.

It was more than enough production to team up with Bradley Beal to lift Washington into the postseason, marking the franchise's last playoff appearance, before Westbrook made the move to the West Coast and inked with the hometown Los Angeles Lakers.

That stint was far from ideal, though, after eventually falling out of the rotation with speculation that he and LeBron James were at odds. Westbrook then moved on to the Los Angeles Clippers midway through the 2022-23 season, the first of two seasons with the franchise, before moving onto the Denver Nuggets in 2024-25.

Westbrook started in 58 games for the Sacramento Kings in 2025-26 where he averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 assists after embracing the veteran leadership role.

That could be a similar role that Westbrook takes on in Washington, a player already plenty familiar with the city along with some key stakeholders within the organization. Yet it would also crowd the room of primary ball handlers along the roster.

With Trae Young sticking in Washington after agreeing to terms on a four year deal extension worth approximately $212 million, the Wizards also return Baltimore native Bub Carrington for the upcoming 2026-27 season with a club option available ahead of his final contract season. Monday also marked the final day the Wizards could extend a two-way qualifying offer to Sharife Cooper, the undrafted guard who appeared in half of the games during 2025-26 and averaging 8.1 points and three assists in just over 17 minutes per game.

Could Washington opt for veteran experience behind Trae Young? With Westbrook now entering free agency as an unrestricted veteran free agent, Washington could now turn to upgrading the point guard rotation as general manager Will Dawkins and company finalize the roster.

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