Former NBA Star Russell Westbrook In Advanced Talks To Join Hapoel Tel Aviv, US Reports Say

Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook is in advanced talks to join Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv, according to U.S. Reports. The discussions mark a potential landmark moment for Israeli basketball and could represent one of the biggest signings in European basketball history.

The 37-year-old free agent and the Israeli club have maintained advancing contact, journalist Marc Jacobs posted on X. The talks represent Westbrook's first serious consideration of a professional move outside the United States.

Earlier reports of Hapoel Tel Aviv's interest had been denied approximately two weeks prior, but the sides have since maintained ongoing contact that has progressed. According to The Athletic, Westbrook is seriously considering playing abroad for the first time in his career.

No agreement has been finalized. At this stage, negotiations remain in advanced phases as Westbrook weighs a potential new chapter away from the NBA. Westbrook remains a free agent following last season. Over his NBA career, he won the league's Most Valuable Player award, earned nine All-Star selections, set the all-time record for triple-doubles and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of his generation. A completed signing would rank among the most significant player acquisitions in European basketball history.