The Denver Nuggets just made their biggest move of the offseason: the acquisition of veteran point guard, Russell Westbrook. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nuggets will secure the former MVP after completing the sign-and-trade with the Jazz for Kris Dunn.
“The Los Angeles Clippers are sending guard Russell Westbrook, a second-round pick swap and cash to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade agreement for guard Kris Dunn,” reported Woj. “Once Russell Westbrook clears waivers, the expectation is that he’ll join the Denver Nuggets as a free agent and bring them another veteran to bolster the team’s bench and be available as a spot-starter.”
The trade was initially between the Clippers and Jazz to swap Westbrook and Dunn. But with Russ confirmed to be headed for a buyout with the Jazz, it seems he has made a commitment to compete for a championship with the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets are coming off a rather disappointing finish in the 2024 playoffs. They lost to the young and inexperienced Timberwolves in a failed bid to defend their title. Coming into the offseason, many expected the Nuggets to shake things up in an attempt to recapture their magic from 2023.
Instead, the Nuggets have barely done anything at all except lose more of their key championship players. This summer, one year after parting ways with Bruce Brown, they lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and there is a belief across the league that it has made them significantly weaker.
Signing Russell Westbrook was the only notable addition they made, and the people are split on its impact on Jokic and the crew. The Serbian superstar reportedly gave his approval to Westbrook and it’s no secret that he harbors great respect for the former All-NBA point guard. At his best, Westbrook was a true alpha and one of the most powerful players in the league.
Today, however, the 9x All-Star has had trouble finding a long-term arrangement with any team. From the Thunder to the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, and Clippers, Westbrook has been hopping around from team to team like the ultimate journeyman.
At 35 years old, it remains to be seen what more Russell even has to offer at this point. After averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season it’s clear that he’s best utilized in a smaller role and that’s how the Nuggets intend to use him as backup for Jamal Murray.
While Russ has taken issue with coming off the bench in the past, he’s not expected to resist a backup role this time After being spurned by yet another team, Westbrook is running out of options and if he doesn’t play well for the Nuggets, it could be the start of his exit from the NBA.
As a team desperate to return to the Finals, the Nuggets need this to work almost just as much as him. 2x MVP Nikola Jokic, 29, is still in his prime and the Nuggets need to do everything in their power to surround him with the best talent possible in order to maximize their championship window.
Even with their latest losses, Jokic and role-players like Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon will keep their championship hopes alive. For better or worse, Westbrook is a part of the journey now and this is a unique opportunity for one last title run before closing out his Hall of Fame career.
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