{
  "id": 725099,
  "title": "After Russell Westbrook retirement, former Nets C Brook Lopez remains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/after-russell-westbrook-retirement-former-nets-c-brook-lopez-remains",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T02:51:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/russell-westbrook-retirement-former-nets-025114697.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent development, former Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez has stated his continued presence in the NBA. The 38-year-old, who was part of the team during its inception, has had a successful career to date. While he will be remembered as one of the franchise's best players, he outlasted future Hall-of-Famer DeAndre Jordan in terms of longevity in the league.\n\nFollowing Russell Westbrook's announcement of his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, Lopez now joins the ranks of only two remaining players from the 2008 NBA Draft Class to still be active in the league. Lopez, alongside Jordan, is now in the midst of another season, with Lopez himself showing promise as a veteran player.\n\nWestbrook, 37, had a storied career marked by nine All-NBA selections, nine All-Star appearances, three MVP awards, and twice being named MVP of the NBA All-Star Game. Despite never winning a championship, he still holds the title of 'All-Star Game MVP' twice and is a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.\n\nJordan, also 38, is now in the later stages of his career. He recently played just 12 games for the New Orleans Pelicans, primarily serving as a veteran off the bench. Nevertheless, he maintained a respectable performance, averaging 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.\n\nBoth Westbrook and Jordan, NBA legends, have left a lasting impact on the league. Now, Lopez and Jordan are the sole representatives from the 2008 Draft Class who remain active in the NBA. The world of basketball may have reached its conclusion for some, but as Lopez aptly put it, \"This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: After Russell Westbrook retirement, former Nets C Brook Lopez remains.\"",
  "summary": "Former Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez is one of two players from the 2002 draft class remaining after Russell Westbrook's retirement on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "After 18 NBA seasons, Russell Westbrook has retired. A …",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/after-18-nba-seasons-russell-westbrook-has-retired-a",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:02:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook retires from NBA after 18 seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/russell-westbrook-retires-from-nba-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:27:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook retires from the NBA with a farewell video narrated by Michael B. Jordan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/russell-westbrook-retires-from-the-nba-with-a-farewell-video-narrated",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Triple-double king Russell Westbrook announces retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/triple-double-king-russell-westbrook-announces-retirement",
        "published": "2026-08-13T02:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/russell-westbrook-announces-nba-retirement-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-13T10:25:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Guide Network",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook Announces NBA Retirement After 18 Seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/russell-westbrook-announces-nba-retirement-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-14T13:04:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}