Nuggets On Verge Of Pairing Nikola Jokic With Former NBA MVP

Russell Westbrook's star-crossed time playing in his native Los Angeles has officially come to a close. Next up for the former NBA MVP? Chasing that elusive championship with another Western Conference power.

The Los Angeles Clippers sent Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade for Kris Dunn on Thursday, ultimately clearing the way for him to sign with the Denver Nuggets off waivers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Los Angeles also received a second-round pick swap to facilitate the departure of Westbrook and arrival of Dunn, who previously agreed to a deal with the Clippers on the opening day of free agency. The Nuggets, Westbrook's expected summer destination for weeks, are set to save millions in luxury tax payments by acquiring him on a minimum contract.

Expect Westbrook to come off the bench in Denver, replacing the previously traded Reggie Jackson as Jamal Murray's backup.

Though his shooting woes won't help space the floor for a team quietly low on perimeter marksmen, Westbrook's open-court athleticism, disruptive defense when engaged and two-way rebounding prowess could make him an impact reserve as the Nuggets look to get back to the top of the Western Conference in 2024-25. His size and speed as a cutter makes him an intriguing offensive fit in lineups next to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, too.

Westbrook, 35, averaged 11.1 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for his hometown Clippers last season, finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His role was reduced in Los Angeles' first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks, though, no surprise considering the strategic magnascope of postseason basketball and his ugly 26.0% field goal shooting against Luka Doncic and company.

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