Russell Westbrook already has new job after NBA retirement

Russell Westbrook didn’t spend much time figuring out what comes next.

Less than a month after announcing his retirement from basketball, the former NBA MVP has joined Project B as a co-founder and chief strategy officer, the startup league announced Wednesday.

So, yeah, Westbrook is officially moving from playing basketball to helping shape how it’s played. He’ll receive an ownership stake in Project B, sit on its board of directors and take an active role in the league’s basketball strategy, long-term planning and partnerships.

“With Project B, we’re challenging the norm and bringing a new vision to the intersection of premium sport, culture, and entertainment,” Westbrook said in a statement.

Project B is scheduled to launch in early 2027 with an unconventional model. The league plans to play games across Europe and Asia, broadcast on YouTube and offer players equity in addition to salaries.

There are some familiar NBA names involved, too. Former Hawks general manager Landry Fields is running the men’s basketball operation, while longtime LeBron James business partner Maverick Carter has served as an adviser.

Project B is targeting current and former NBA players, along with young prospects who could enter its developmental program. Whether Westbrook might actually play remains unclear. Wednesday’s announcement didn’t address that possibility. It would certainly get some attention if he did.

Westbrook retired after 18 NBA seasons with career averages of 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds. He was a nine-time All-Star, the 2017 MVP and the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.

Now he’s an executive, owner and board member. Not bad for the first month of retirement.