Russell Westbrook to Join Nuggets After Clippers-Jazz Trade

Russell Westbrook will reportedly join the Denver Nuggets after the Utah Jazz waive the former MVP and buy out the remainder of his contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Los Angeles Clippers traded Russell Westbrook, a second-round pick swap, and cash to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade agreement for Kris Dunn

On Thursday, the Clippers agreed to send Westbrook, a second-round pick swap, and cash to the Jazz in a sign-and-trade agreement for guard Kris Dunn. Westbrook, who turns 36 on Nov. 12, is expected to clear waivers soon.

The Nuggets are expected to use their open roster spot on the veteran backup point guard to enhance their backcourt, following the departures of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson in free agency.

Last season, Westbrook ranked fourth in field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender among players to contest at least 300 shots, per Second Spectrum tracking.

“I think we need some help in the backcourt,” Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth told Altitude TV on Tuesday. “We are going to try to continue to identify that and survey the market. We have a roster spot left and I think if we can add a high-level guard, we will be happy with that.”

Westbrook exercised his $4 million player option for the 2024-25 season in June. This is part of the two-year, $7.86 million deal he signed with the Clippers last July.

However, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank recently discussed the guard’s future with Westbrook’s agent. This came after Paul George left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

Westbrook averaged career lows in points, assists, and minutes played last season with the Clippers

Westbrook began his first full season with the Clippers as the starting point guard. Though, the late-October trade for James Harden led to the nine-time All-Star becoming a sixth man for his second straight team.

Despite moving to the second unit, Westbrook’s transition to a bench role last season spurred the Clippers’ best regular season in the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era.

The Clippers finished 51-31 during the regular season and lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. It was the franchise’s first 50-win season since 2016-17.

In 68 games (11 starts) of the 2023-24 season, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 22.5 minutes per game. His averages for points, assists, and minutes played were all career lows.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Westbrook is the only NBA player to average 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists off the bench for a career since starters were first tracked in 1970-71 (minimum 50 games).

Now, the Clippers are moving forward with Leonard and Harden while adding defensive players like Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., and Nicolas Batum in free agency.

The Clippers and Dunn agreed to a three-year, $17 million deal with a team option for the third year. He averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 36.9% from 3-point range in 66 games.

Additionally, Dunn ranked sixth in deflections per 36 minutes among players to play at least 1,000 minutes, per ESPN Stats & Information.