Russell Westbrook and 10 Stars Headline NBA Hall of Fame Waiting List

Russell Westbrook retired Wednesday as a nine-time All-Star, joining a 2029 NBA Hall of Fame class that includes 12-time All-Star Chris Paul.

Russell Westbrook announced his retirement on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, concluding an 18-year career where he became the first player since the NBA/ABA merger to average a triple-double for a full season. The 2017 MVP ranks fifth all-time in assists and 14th in both points and steals, joining LeBron James as the only players to exceed his career totals in all three categories. Westbrook earned nine All-NBA nominations and made 14 playoff appearances across seven organizations, including a 2012 Finals run with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is now eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2029 alongside Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star who ranks second in career assists and steals. Paul finished his 21-year tenure as a nine-time All-Defensive selection and the 2006 Rookie of the Year.

During the Friday enshrinement ceremony, 14-year veteran Amar’e Stoudemire will be the lone NBA player inducted, joining WNBA stars Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, and Chamique Holdsclaw. Stoudemire, a six-star All-Star, finished his career with averages of 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. His induction sets a benchmark for LaMarcus Aldridge, who is currently eligible and recorded 20,000 career points and 8,000 rebounds over 16 seasons. Aldridge maintained a 20.7 player efficiency rating and earned seven All-Star nods while playing nearly 10,000 more minutes than Stoudemire. Only Antawn Jamison remains a retired member of the 20,000/8,000 club without a Hall of Fame selection.

Immediate Eligibility and International Resumes

Marc Gasol remains eligible for induction following his career with the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year won the 2019 NBA championship and holds two Olympic silver medals, two FIBA World Cup gold medals, and five EuroBasket medals with Spain. He joins Nikola Jokic, Manu Ginobili, and Draymond Green as the most successful second-round picks in league history. Similarly, Blake Griffin is eligible after being a 2026 finalist. The 2009 first overall pick averaged 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, matching Stoudemire’s six All-Star selections and five All-NBA honors before knee injuries impacted his production.

Andre Iguodala, whose No. 9 jersey was retired by the Golden State Warriors in February 2025, is also on the waiting list. Despite a modest scoring average of 11.3 points per game, Iguodala secured four NBA championships, the 2016 Finals MVP, and a 2012 Olympic gold medal. His path follows 2024 inductee Michael Cooper as a defensive specialist on a dynasty. Joe Johnson enters the conversation with seven All-Star selections and over 20,000 points. Johnson reached the conference finals with both the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, and he is one of only 18 players to record 20,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists.

Future Eligibility and MVP Precedents

Kyle Lowry will become eligible in 2029 following a 20-season career that ended this summer with the Philadelphia 76ers. The six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion recorded over 16,000 points and 7,000 assists, a feat achieved by only 14 other players. Shawn Marion, a four-time All-Star and 2011 champion with the Dallas Mavericks, is currently eligible. Marion is one of three players, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett, to exceed specific career thresholds in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

Rajon Rondo, a two-time champion with the Celtics and Lakers, ranks 15th in career assists and led the league in that category three times. While Rondo is eligible now, Derrick Rose will wait until 2028. Rose, the 2011 MVP and 2009 Rookie of the Year, saw his career altered by knee injuries after becoming the youngest MVP in history at age 22. Basketball Reference currently calculates his induction probability at 10.5%, though every eligible MVP in NBA history has eventually been enshrined. Rose finished his 15-year career playing for six different teams after his initial three All-Star selections with the Chicago Bulls.