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[Saba Sports News] Russell Westbrook may still have teams willing to offer him a hefty contract — though not necessarily in the NBA.
According to European basketball reporter Nemanja Zoric, Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv BC has made initial contact with the nine-time NBA All-Star. Zoric adds that the team is preparing to present Westbrook with a contract offer featuring a salary “never seen before in European basketball.”
Though Israel is geographically in the Middle East and Asia, Hapoel competes in European tournaments and has enjoyed recent success. They just won the EuroCup, earning promotion to the EuroLeague — the highest level of European club basketball.
Westbrook, 36, recently wrapped up his first season with the Denver Nuggets and holds a $3.5 million player option for the 2025–26 season. Should he decline it, he would be free to sign with any team — including those overseas.
Statistically, Westbrook likely outperformed his option value this season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on 45/32/66 shooting splits. However, his postseason struggles and tendency to be a polarizing presence may limit his appeal in the NBA.
Despite that, Westbrook — a former MVP — still appears to have enough left in the tank to contribute to an NBA roster. That makes a move abroad seem unlikely at this stage of his career. Still, Hapoel Tel Aviv seems determined to change that, especially after landing one of Westbrook’s former NBA teammates last summer.