Russell Westbrook’s retirement leaves the Thunder with a move that feels less like a debate and more like a formality: No. 0 belongs in the rafters.
Westbrook announced on social media on August 12, 2026 that he was calling it a career, only days after telling CNN in an interview that it was "my plan" to play another season in the NBA and adding, "I love playing basketball." His retirement post read, "Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV"
Even though it has been nearly a decade since he last wore a Thunder uniform, Westbrook’s impact in Oklahoma City still looms over the franchise. He played 28,330 minutes for the organization and became one of the defining figures in team history.
The Thunder already have eight numbers retired, including Bill Russell’s No. 6 and six jerseys from the Seattle SuperSonics era. Nick Collison is the only player who actually suited up for the Thunder to have his number hanging in the rafters, and Westbrook is clearly next in line.
During 11 seasons as Oklahoma City’s cornerstone point guard, Westbrook put together a resume that reads like a Hall of Fame case study. He made eight All-Star teams, earned eight All-NBA selections, won the 2017 NBA MVP award, and produced three straight triple-double seasons, including averages of 26.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists from 2016-17 through 2018-19.
His overall Thunder numbers are just as staggering: 23.0 points, 8.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He also sits atop the franchise’s all-time Oklahoma City statistical leaderboard in points with 18,859, assists with 6,897, rebounds with 5,760 and steals with 1,442.
Westbrook’s connection to Oklahoma City went beyond the box score, too. He made charitable work part of his identity and partnered with Echo Investment Capital, while also saying, "Anything that's happening in Oklahoma City, for the future and for the growth of Oklahoma City, I will be a part of it."
Now that his playing days are over, the Thunder’s next step seems obvious: retire No. 0 and make sure Westbrook’s place in franchise history is sealed forever.
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