Russell Westbrook is signing a two-year, $6.8 million cope with the Denver Nuggets after being purchased out by the Utah Jazz, per Shams Charania. Westbrook was initially dealt by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Jazz as a part of a sign-and-trade deal that despatched Kris Dunn to the Clippers. Dunn will formally head to the Clippers on a three-year, $17 million deal as a part of the sign-and-trade, per Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. The Clippers additionally despatched a second-round decide swap and money to the Jazz.
Westbrook opted into the ultimate 12 months of his deal earlier this summer time, which was price just a little over $4 million. However that by no means meant he would keep in L.A. for subsequent season. Westbrook and the Nuggets had beforehand been rumored to have mutual curiosity in one another, and now he’ll be becoming a member of the staff. Whereas he is previous his All-Star and MVP-winning days, Westbrook did present worth as a scorer and facilitator off the bench this previous season with the Clippers. His defensive effort was additionally a necessity within the second unit.
He brings veteran management to a Nuggets staff that has had a quiet offseason after shedding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic. Westbrook definitely will not change KCP’s protection — or his 3-point taking pictures — however on the proper worth, he can nonetheless be a worthwhile piece on a championship-contending staff. Greater than something, Westbrook provides the Nuggets added depth, one thing that’s extremely essential n the postseason. In a Western Convention that continues to be extremely aggressive, getting as a lot expertise that may produce in a playoff sport is essential.
Whereas Westbrook is signing with the Nuggets, this marks the fifth time he is been traded since 2019 — essentially the most ever by a former league MVP — and it is the second-straight 12 months he has been traded to Utah. The Lakers despatched him to the Jazz on the 2023 NBA commerce deadline, however he was waived by the Jazz 11 days later after which signed with the Clippers.
On the lookout for extra NBA protection? John Gonzalez, Invoice Reiter, Ashley Nicole Moss and particular visitors dive deep into the league’s largest storylines each day on the Past the Arc podcast.
