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Justin Martinez: Asked Mark Daigneault about the announcement of Russell Westbrook’s jersey retirement: “I said this after he retired, but certainly a hat tip to him for an unbelievable career, and there’s nothing more fitting than for his number to be retired in Oklahoma City. He’s just such a trailblazing player for the organization, and it was as much his ethos as it was his performance on the court. That’ll be a special night. He’s obviously a special player. He has a special connection to the community, even to this day. And it’ll be special for our team to recognize that. That’s from a different timeframe than most of us had been a part of, but to recognize your history and to have that kind of come to life inside of your season can bring a lot of energy. So we’re really looking forward to that. And again, congratulations to him on his career. I’m glad it’s being recognized the way that it is.”
Brandon Rahbar: James Harden has the night off on Russell Westbrook’s jersey retirement date. KD and Steven Adams play the Kings on February 7th so they have the night off too.
Brandon Rahbar: Sam Presti on Russell Westbrook: “Many players make an impact but only great players leave a legacy. Russell Westbrook’s legacy was built both on the court and in the community. His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own and his number will be raised to the rafters, in Oklahoma City forever.”
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Michael Scotto: Sam Presti on whether he'd call Russell Westbrook out of retirement with Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace out: "I haven't thought about anything relative to the roster spot... We have a tremendous challenge in front of us, but this is what we do and what we signed up for."
NBABase: Russell Westbrook says legacy isn’t about winning championships: "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, and I just think opposite of that. I think legacy is based around what you're able to do with the platform and things you’ve been given and how you help to impact and inspire other people."
"Why now? Is it the right time to retire?" Russell Westbrook: "I just felt for me it was a timing thing. I 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."
Patrick Beverley describes security threats after the Russell Westbrook injury: "I come in there, two police come next to me. I look at Coach McHale, he, 'Don't worry, everything's okay.' I, 'What's going on?' I, 'James, what's y'all room number?' We in eight something. I, 'Damn, why I'm only playing on number five?' I go to my room. It's two security guards outside my door. I, 'What the [expletive] is going on?' They done put hit out on me. Ball boy say, we go kill Patrick Beverley coming to OKC. People don't know that. They had to fire the ball boy. They be floating, they got a picture of him all around the thing. If y'all see him, yeah, all that. It's a real thing. Kill Patrick Beverley. They had to fire ball boy, all they got police next to my room and they got a police escort in my house in Houston and I'm in OKC. This is my first year of the NBA, bro.”
Reflecting once again on his former superstar teammate's decision to retire, Durant also acknowledged the personal reasons that may have influenced Westbrook's decision to walk away from the game for good. "I was a little sad because I still thought Russ had five or six more years left. He's an athletic body that can still impact the game positively. But sometimes people at that point where they just want to step away and do something different," Durant told reporters in his media availability ahead of the Houston Rockets' NBA China Games 2026 with the Dallas Mavericks. "So congrats to him on an iconic career. I know the next phase of his life, he's going to put the same amount of work into just like he did in basketball."
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Now, the timing of Westbrook's NBA retirement caught most of the basketball world a little off guard. After all, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in his final season last year on the Sacramento Kings. Surely a team could use that type of production, no? Well, the market wasn't rich enough for the 37-year-old. Instead of settling, he left of his own accord. "Obviously, a little shocking that it's this soon. He had a little bit more in the tank," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "But yeah, everyone has their own journey. He deserves his flowers. I think it's kind of how the world is. Usually, you get them when you're done. It's unfortunate."
Gilgeous-Alexander talked more in depth about Westbrook's impact in OKC. And in the NBA, in totality. Even if his dramatic playstyle garnered strong reactions on both sides of the spectrum, there's no denying that his breathtaking athleticism and superhuman motor were quite the attraction. At the peak of his powers, the Thunder were must-watch TV. "He is as dynamic as they come in terms of an NBA player, personality and teammate. Russ is the whole package. He's the foundation for what we stand on now," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Part of the reason why the city is what it is is because of Russell Westbrook. He deserves all those flowers for what he's done off the court and on the court."
Justin Martinez: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Russell Westbrook: “He’s as dynamic as they come in terms of an NBA player, personality and teammate. He’s the whole package. He laid the foundation we stand on now. Part of the reason why this city is what it is is because of Russell Westbrook. He deserves all of those flowers.”
Amidst training camp, Daingeault discussed why Westbrook's illustrious career is unforgettable from an NBA standpoint, in addition to what he means to Oklahoma City. “Congrats to him on an unbelievable first-ballot career. He's, obviously, one of the giants of the game — not only in Oklahoma City — in the history of the league,” Daigneault said. “He brought a particular spirit to the game. And fearlessness and competitiveness that made it very easy to gravitate to him, and obviously, this city did. And he reciprocated. He's an unbelievable member of the community, even to this day. He's doing great work in the Oklahoma City community. “Special player. Special guy. Congratulations again to him. And the last thing I'll say is, when you got guys that are of his caliber that have passed through the organization, there's a certain standard that they set that when new players come in, they feel an obligation to live up to. And that's what the great organizations have. And great organizations are built on great players.”
