Reports linking Russell Westbrook with a move to Hapoel Tel Aviv have been strongly denied, with a source close to the veteran guard describing the story as “laughably false,” according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Westbrook has not considered leaving the NBA and remains focused on continuing his career in the league.
The rumor surfaced Sunday, August 9, when Marc Jacobs claimed on social media that Westbrook and Hapoel Tel Aviv had “mutual interest” and that discussions were expanding. The post also alleged that the nine-time All-Star was seriously considering playing overseas for the first time.
Stein’s report directly disputes that account. A source close to Westbrook told The Stein Line that the idea of him discussing a move to Hapoel was “laughably false,” while the 37-year-old guard has not considered leaving the NBA after 18 seasons.
The clarification comes as Westbrook evaluates his free-agent options after spending the 2025-26 season with the Sacramento Kings. He played 64 games, starting 58, and averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game.
Westbrook’s playmaking remained his most significant statistical contribution. His 34.3% assist percentage ranked 11th in the NBA, while his 33.8% three-point shooting was his best mark since the 2022-23 season.
Sacramento is among the teams that could bring Westbrook back. Jake Fischer previously reported that the Kings are considering a reunion while also evaluating veteran guard Victor Oladipo as they build around No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr.
The Kings finished 22-60, 14th in the Western Conference, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Westbrook could provide a veteran ballhandler alongside Acuff while allowing the rookie to develop without carrying the full burden of initiating Sacramento’s offense.
Westbrook has also made clear that he is not approaching free agency with a predetermined destination. “I don’t think about it honestly. I love playing basketball and if it happens, it works and that’s my plan,” Westbrook said when discussing his status.
The former MVP, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and three-time assists leader has averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds over 1,301 regular-season games in his career.
Interest from EuroLeague clubs has been reported previously, including Hapoel, Panathinaikos and Dubai Basketball. However, those reports concerned potential interest rather than a confirmed decision by Westbrook to leave the NBA, and the latest information from a source close to him specifically rejects the Hapoel claim.
