Just days after Russell Westbrook opted out of his Clippers contract, rumors linked him to Hapoel Tel Aviv. A viral post claimed he might make a surprise move to the Israeli club. The news spread quickly in American and Israeli basketball circles.
Hapoel Tel Aviv responded with a firm denial. In a Monday statement, the team called the rumors “100% fake.” They said they’re sticking to their current development model. The club made it clear that Westbrook is not involved in being a free agent.
George Hinas, general manager of Hapoel Tel Aviv, dismissed reports that the Israeli club had any interest in bringing the NBA star overseas.
“That’s 100% fake news. There were numbers mentioned, $50 million per year, which is crazy.”
Hinas told Basketball Sphere.
Russell Westbrook Rumors in Israel? Not So Fast
Westbrook’s present career juncture has drawn ample attention, particularly following his opting out of his $4 million player option with the Clippers for the 2024–25 NBA season. These suggested the team might sign the nine-time NBA All-Star.
However, in a statement that has gone viral in both American and Israeli basketball circles, the team shut down speculation. It responded with a firm denial. Earlier, the buzz began online after a viral post suggested Westbrook was considering international options.
This included a surprise move to Hapoel Tel Aviv. As a result, the rumor caught fire.
EuroCup Champions Hapoel Tel Aviv are expected to make Russell Westbrook an offer “never before seen in European basketball” 👀
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 4, 2025
(via @zoric_nemanja) pic.twitter.com/DP0F8paeEo
But, the club didn’t waste any time in setting the record straight. Also, it reasserted its intention to form a team based on its present development model.
How the Russell Westbrook – Hapoel Tel Aviv Rumor Began?
The spark came from a screenshot circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp fan groups in Israel, suggesting that Hapoel Tel Aviv was in advanced talks with Westbrook’s representatives. The post, which lacked a source, was quickly re-shared by fan accounts and international basketball rumor pages.
Things escalated and people started hinting without confirmation that there might be interest brewing. By the next day, blogs and fan channels in the U.S. began picking it up.
YouTube channel, which goes by the name TFU podcast, asked, “Could Westbrook be Tel Aviv-bound?”. The idea of the former MVP heading overseas for a starring role intrigued fans, even if it lacked credibility.
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Response to Russell Westbrook Controversy
As the Israel-bound Russell Westbrook buzz gained steam online, Hapoel Tel Aviv had no time to let it steamroll into a reality. Hours after the word got around through social media, fan forums, and even Israeli local media, the club put out a brief but firm statement quashing any possibilities of a deal with the past NBA MVP.
The denial appeared on the club’s Instagram and quickly caught on by U.S. media such as Sports Illustrated and Sportsnet, bringing the speculation to a halt as quickly as it started.
Russell Westbrook is a free agent but is not going to the Israeli club. There are no official offers reported by the NBA and foreign-based teams.
Hapoel Tel Aviv concluded their domestic season in the Israeli Basketball Premier League recently and are currently in offseason training for the 2024–25 season. The club has not issued any major roster transactions or released any upcoming friendlies.
READ: Russell Westbrook Declines Player Option, Will Enter Free Agency
