Russell Westbrook Agrees To Contract With Western Conference Contender

Russell Westbrook has found his next home.

The Denver Nuggets improved their bench depth on Friday by signing former NBA MVP Westbrook to a two-year, $6.8 million contract, per The Athletic's Shams Charania .

The nine-time All-Star has morphed into a formidable rotation player after starting every game he appeared in from 2009-10 through 2021-22.

Over the past two seasons, Westbrook has appeared in 141 games with only 35 starts.

He's been effective in limited action, averaging 13.6 points, 6.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

The Nuggets have one of the best starting-fives in the NBA, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray.

Earlier this offseason, former Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with the Magic on a three-year, $66 million contract, creating an opening for playing time in the backcourt.

The Nuggets went 57-25 in 2023-24 and finished second in the Western Conference. It lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games in the West semifinals.