And just like that, one of the best players of the 2010s bows out of the NBA after 18 seasons. But despite the popular consensus, it was not because Russell Westbrook did not have any interest from teams.

On the contrary, Westbrook had offers from both the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The 37-year-old had the opportunity to extend his career for at least another season, but in the end, he decided to let go of the game he loves on his own terms, statistically as one of the best we have ever seen.

The reported interest was not surprising, to say the least, as Westbrook remained productive late in his career and still had teams willing to add his experience and energy to their rosters.

In his final season, Westbrook started 58 games for the Kings and averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds.

During the season, he proudly became the career leader in rebounds from the point guard position and joined LeBron James as the only two players in league history with 25,000 points and 10,000 assists.

While Westbrook could have certainly played at a high level for another year or two, his decision to call time on his career was graciously accepted by the NBA world, as Westbrook has given nothing but his best every minute he has been on the court.

Russell Westbrook's Immaculate Legacy

In the end, Westbrook was unable to win the NBA championship, only ever coming close to it back in 2012 when the young stars of the Oklahoma City Thunder, like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Westbrook himself, faced established heavyweights LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Still, the championship could never define Westbrook's individual legacy. In 18 seasons, Westbrook won the 2017 MVP award, earned nine All-Star selections and nine All-NBA honors, and became the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles.

"Sometimes you don't even know when you've already watched the end," the 37-year-old Westbrook wrote on his post, which contained a video of his career narrated by recent Academy Award-winning actor Michael B. Jordan. "You had to be there. And now it's over."

With teams still interested in his talents, there must have been an element of satisfaction Westbrook must have felt with his career, to leave the spotlight, once and for all.

And for an athlete, that is what matters in the end, as one of the greatest players of this era throws in the towel, with his head held high.

Thank you, Russell Westbrook.

Read more at the Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy