Nuggets can help ridiculed MVP-turned-role player Russell Westbrook secure ring he craves

Russell Westbrook is on the move. Again.

The latest "Woj bomb" of another captivating NBA offseason arrived on Thursday, with ESPN reporting the nine-time All-Star is set to be traded from the LA Clippers to the Utah Jazz , where he will be waived. Out came the memes; Westbrook has now been twice traded to the rebuilding Jazz and waived, and he is still chasing a first NBA championship.

But then Adrian Wojnarowski posted again. He revealed Westbrook is expected to sign with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent, with the 2023 NBA champions adding the former MVP to bolster the team’s bench and serve as a spot-starter.

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This could be a shrewd move by the Nuggets. As a motivated role player on a cheap deal, NBA analyst and former player Paul Pierce is confident Westbrook could be exactly what Denver needs to relaunch their dynasty bid.

“Russ is at a point in his career, I know he wants to win a championship,” Pierce said on FOX Sports’ Undisputed. “He's done everything that you can possibly do in the game of basketball. He's been MVP, he's been to the Finals, how many countless triple-double seasons?

“I like this move with Russ right there, as a starter with Jamal Murray at the two. I think they can still make some noise as a contender as long as Joker is still playing at an MVP level.”

Here’s the thing: Pierce is kinda wrong and kinda right. Yes, the Nuggets need to fill a backcourt hole after Reggie Jackson was traded to the Charlotte Hornets and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left for the Orlando Magic in free agency. But three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray represent one of the premier duos in the league, while Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon round out a dominant starting unit. The Nuggets will be in the championship picture, with or without Westbrook.

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Ultimately, Westbrook is past his prime. The Nuggets aren’t getting the Oklahoma City Thunder edition of Westbrook, a triple-double machine who electrified every game. Last year, the 2017 MVP averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. His shooting has become a black hole; Westbrook hasn’t shot 50 percent from the floor on at least 15 shots per game since the 2019-20 season with the Houston Rockets , his last All-Star season.

Westbrook has largely been ridiculed in recent years ever since his turbulent stint with the Los Angeles Lakers , but he somewhat rehabilitated his image with the Clippers. That doesn’t mean the 35-year-old is an All-Star - far from it - but he can play a role and play it effectively. And the Nuggets need bodies in rotation.

Denver has also been lacking the ability to attack the paint and rim since Bruce Brown left in the wake of their championship win. Last season, Murray was the only Denver player capable of attacking off the dribble from the perimeter, which was a weakness that the Minnesota Timberwolves exploited .

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Despite his age, Westbrook can still collapse a defense and get downhill off the dribble. If the Nuggets can find a balance and if Westbrook - who remains an excellent passer - finds his rhythm, he can open up lanes and find open teammates. Those are two big ifs, but when a championship is at stake, risks must be taken.

And yet, Westbrook could be the antidote to Denver’s issues that reared its head in the playoffs. In the 2023-24 regular season, Jokic and Murray were forced to lead the team through somewhat unimportant contests, and the Nuggets paid the price in the playoffs. The presence of Westbrook’s boundless energy would allow Murray to save himself for the bright lights of the postseason.

It also should be noted that Westbrook was a solid defender last year for the Clippers. As his offense has waned and his star diminished, Westbrook has improved his effectiveness on defense. It is genuinely commendable, even for a player who needs to prove his usefulness on an annual basis to remain in the league.

The Nuggets, who crushed the Miami Heat to win the 2023 NBA championship, will give Westbrook a legitimate chance to play a significant role on a title contender as he chases that elusive championship. If Westbrook gets his ring, the memes will be put away for good - and that should be enough motivation for an MVP-turned-journeyman twice turned away by the Jazz.