Russell Westbrook has experienced one of the more fascinating career journeys among NBA superstars, going from longtime franchise cornerstone with the Oklahoma City Thunder to playing for several teams later in his career.
Westbrook has played for seven NBA franchises, including the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
Although he was technically drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008, Westbrook never appeared in an NBA regular-season game for Seattle because the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City before his rookie season.
How Many NBA Teams Has Russell Westbrook Played For?
Russell Westbrook has played for seven NBA teams during his career:
| Team | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2008–2019 |
| Houston Rockets | 2019–2020 |
| Washington Wizards | 2020–2021 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2021–2023 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2023–2024 |
| Denver Nuggets | 2024–2025 |
| Sacramento Kings | 2025–present |
Westbrook’s NBA journey can be summarized as:
Thunder → Rockets → Wizards → Lakers → Clippers → Nuggets → Kings
Oklahoma City Thunder: 2008–2019
Westbrook spent the longest and most successful portion of his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. However, the organization relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder before Westbrook played his first regular-season NBA game.
Westbrook developed into a superstar alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden, helping Oklahoma City become one of the Western Conference’s leading contenders.
The Thunder reached the 2012 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
Westbrook’s greatest individual season came in 2016–17, when he averaged a triple-double and was named NBA Most Valuable Player.
He ultimately spent 11 seasons with Oklahoma City before being traded in 2019.
Houston Rockets: 2019–2020
Westbrook joined the Houston Rockets ahead of the 2019–20 season in a blockbuster trade that sent Chris Paul to Oklahoma City.
The move reunited Westbrook with former Thunder teammate James Harden.
Westbrook spent only one season in Houston, averaging more than 27 points per game while earning another NBA All-Star selection.
The Rockets reached the Western Conference semifinals before losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Washington Wizards: 2020–2021
Westbrook was traded again before the 2020–21 season, this time joining the Washington Wizards in exchange for John Wall and draft compensation.
Despite spending only one season in Washington, Westbrook produced another historically productive campaign.
He averaged a triple-double and broke Oscar Robertson’s longstanding NBA record for career triple-doubles during his Wizards tenure.
Westbrook helped Washington reach the 2021 NBA Playoffs before the Wizards were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
Los Angeles Lakers: 2021–2023
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Westbrook during the 2021 offseason, creating a star trio featuring Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Westbrook’s Lakers tenure proved challenging as the team struggled to consistently find the right lineup and chemistry.
He spent parts of two seasons with Los Angeles before being moved as part of a multi-team trade in February 2023.
Westbrook was sent to the Utah Jazz in the transaction but never played a game for Utah. The Jazz and Westbrook subsequently reached a buyout agreement.
Therefore, Utah is not counted among the NBA teams Westbrook actually played for.
Los Angeles Clippers: 2023–2024
Following his departure from the Lakers, Westbrook remained in Los Angeles and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
He joined a veteran roster featuring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and eventually adapted to a different role than he had played during the prime of his career.
Westbrook spent the remainder of the 2022–23 season and the entire 2023–24 campaign with the Clippers.
Denver Nuggets: 2024–2025
Westbrook joined the Denver Nuggets for the 2024–25 NBA season.
Playing alongside three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, Westbrook provided Denver with veteran experience, energy and playmaking.
The Nuggets represented the sixth NBA franchise for which Westbrook appeared in a regular-season game.
Sacramento Kings: 2025–Present
Westbrook continued his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, making Sacramento the seventh franchise he has represented on the court.
His arrival continued a remarkable second chapter of his career after spending his first 11 seasons with a single organization.
By joining Sacramento, Westbrook had now played for seven different NBA franchises despite spending more than a decade with Oklahoma City at the beginning of his career.
Did Russell Westbrook Play for the Seattle SuperSonics?
Technically, Westbrook was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics, but he never played a regular-season game for the team.
Seattle selected Westbrook fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft on June 26, 2008.
Days later, the franchise’s relocation to Oklahoma City was finalized. The organization became the Oklahoma City Thunder before the start of the 2008–09 NBA season.
Westbrook therefore began his playing career with Oklahoma City.
Did Russell Westbrook Play for the Utah Jazz?
No. Westbrook was briefly a member of the Utah Jazz organization in 2023, but he never appeared in a game for the team.
The Lakers traded Westbrook to Utah as part of a three-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2023.
Westbrook and the Jazz later completed a contract buyout, allowing him to become a free agent and sign with the Clippers.
Because he never appeared in a game for Utah, the Jazz are generally not included when counting the NBA teams Westbrook has actually played for.
What Team Did Russell Westbrook Play for the Longest?
Westbrook played for the Oklahoma City Thunder longer than any other NBA team.
He spent 11 seasons with Oklahoma City from 2008 through 2019, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
During his Thunder career, Westbrook became an NBA MVP, perennial All-Star and one of the league’s most prolific triple-double producers.
His 2016–17 MVP campaign remains one of the defining seasons of his career.
Russell Westbrook NBA Teams in Order
Here is Westbrook’s NBA playing history in chronological order:
- Oklahoma City Thunder — 2008–2019
- Houston Rockets — 2019–2020
- Washington Wizards — 2020–2021
- Los Angeles Lakers — 2021–2023
- Los Angeles Clippers — 2023–2024
- Denver Nuggets — 2024–2025
- Sacramento Kings — 2025–present
While Westbrook has moved frequently during the latter portion of his career, his legacy remains most closely associated with Oklahoma City, where he transformed from a highly athletic lottery pick into an NBA MVP and one of the most accomplished point guards of his generation.