The Denver Nuggets were able to work their magic and acquire some much-needed depth to their backcourt in a reported deal that had long been expected.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Russell Westbrook and the Denver Nuggets have agreed to a two-year, $6.8 million deal. Westbrook was dealt to the Utah Jazz last Thursday on July 18, but was waived 48 hours later. His move to the ‘Mile High City’ had been reported for weeks since the initial deal that allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz to acquire guard Kris Dunn.
Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 MVP for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was traded for the fifth time in his 16-year career. He has now been traded to Utah by both franchises in his hometown Los Angeles in the past year and a half.
The 35-year-old Westbrook has reportedly opted into the final year of his contract with the Clippers, who were to pay him just over $4 million. The point guard and all-time leader in triple-doubles averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game while mostly in a reserve role last season for the Clippers, who were eliminated by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs while Kawhi Leonard was on the shelf with a knee injury, which forced him out of the Olympics.
Westbrook, who began the season as the starting point guard before moving to a sixth-man role after the Clippers traded for James Harden, joins forces with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Westbrook is the career leader in triple-doubles with 199, and Jokic ranks fourth with 130.
Embed from Getty ImagesDenver needs guard depth after parting with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who went to the Orlando Magic and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.
The trade from the Clippers to Utah ended Westbrook’s two attempts to win an elusive title in his hometown of Los Angles. He first had a wildly disappointing 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers, who acquired him in August 2021 to be the third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis on a team with championship aspirations.
Instead, Westbrook managed just 17.4 points per game for the Lakers while struggling to mesh with James and Davis with any of his usual energy and swagger. The Lakers dealt Westbrook to Utah in February 2023, the day before the trade deadline and he signed with the Clippers after the Jazz bought out his contract.
Westbrook found his shooting stroke and found his confidence with the Clippers, but also never returned to his glory days of his high-scoring, ball-dominating peak on another team with veteran stars. He had a diminished role for much of the second half of last season while largely coming off the bench.
