“He Might Be Back”: Ex-Laker Drops Major News on Russell Westbrook’s Retirement

A former Laker teammate argued that media narratives, not declining ability, were what actually ended Russell Westbrook's career. Now that same teammate has gone a step further, suggesting that the retirement itself might not even be permanent.

Patrick Beverley discussed Westbrook's retirement alongside Zach Randolph on the Out The Mud Podcast. He floated the idea that his former Lakers teammate could still return to the league.

"This man is supposed to be in the league for another 3-4 years at least," Beverley said. "I'd like to see him with the Heat. Brodie got a lot left in him. I just saw his little brother yesterday, Ray. He might be back."

Beverley shared his thoughts on Russell Westbrook before, joking about their relationship.

"Mind you, me and him got beef," he added. "They started me, got him coming off the bench. I can laugh about it now 'cause it's partly entertaining."

Both the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards reportedly wanted to sign him this offseason. But each offered him a reduced bench role behind younger players like Darius Acuff Jr., a proposition Westbrook ultimately walked away entirely.

Russell Westbrook chose retirement over diminished roles. It leaves the door open for a return if the right situation, on the right team, presents itself later.

"I felt like he had a lot of game left. I feel like he played really well last season," Beverley said on a separate episode of his own podcast. "I think the media is so strong that it allowed fans to call him names and have opinions about his game, which also forced team owners, GMs and presidents to look at him a certain way."

Westbrook ended his final season with the Kings, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds across 64 games. Production Beverley argued was still good enough to merit a legitimate role, not just a minimum-salary bench spot.

Miami aggressively built around Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, and added Klay Thompson. The roster still lacks a true ball-handler with real playoff pedigree. A gap Westbrook, even in a diminished role, could fill.

Whether that speculation turns into anything concrete remains to be seen. For now, Beverley's comments represent the most direct suggestion yet from someone with genuine insider standing that Westbrook's wordless retirement video from earlier this month may not be the final chapter of his NBA career after all.