By 5 Towns Central Staff

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (August 11, 2026)

A move that would rank among the most stunning signings in Israeli basketball history appears to be getting closer.

Talks between Hapoel Tel Aviv and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook are reportedly continuing to advance, according to U.S. reports. The latest update comes roughly two weeks after earlier reports of Hapoel’s interest were publicly denied.

Journalist Marc Jacobs reported Monday that negotiations between the two sides are progressing. If an agreement is reached, Westbrook would make the unprecedented move from the NBA to a club outside the United States for the first time in his professional career.

Westbrook, 37, remains a free agent after last season and is apparently seriously weighing the possibility of continuing his career in Europe rather than returning to the NBA. The Athletic previously reported that a move overseas was being considered as Westbrook evaluates the next chapter of his career.

The potential signing would be enormous for Hapoel Tel Aviv, which has emerged as an increasingly ambitious force in European basketball. The club competes in both the Israeli Premier League and EuroLeague and has invested heavily in building a roster capable of competing at the highest level.

Westbrook’s résumé would make the move particularly remarkable. He is a former NBA MVP, a nine-time All-Star and one of the most accomplished point guards of his generation. He also owns the NBA’s career record for triple-doubles and was named to the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.

For Hapoel, adding a player with that résumé would be a major statement—not only for Israeli basketball but for the EuroLeague as a whole.

There is still no reported agreement, and the talks could ultimately fall apart. But the latest reports suggest this is no longer merely a speculative rumor: negotiations are reportedly active and moving forward.

If Westbrook does ultimately arrive in Tel Aviv, it could become one of the biggest European basketball signings of the modern era—and one of the most high-profile NBA-to-Israel moves ever.