Russell Westbrook was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, which allowed the Clippers to acquire Kris Dunn. Westbrook was quickly waived by the Jazz and subsequently signed with the Denver Nuggets. Reflecting on his two-year stint with the Clippers, Westbrook expressed his gratitude to the organization and its fans.
“Thank you to Mr. Ballmer and the entire Clipper Organization for the opportunity. Clipper Nation, thank you! I had a lot of fun playing in the city I love, in front of my family and friends. To all my teammates, I appreciate your support and for embracing me over the past two years. To all of my fans, your support means everything to me. You keep me motivated and energized. I have the most loyal and amazing fans in sports. I look forward to seeing you all next season!”
Unlike his departure from the Lakers, Westbrook’s exit from the Clippers seems less contentious. Although he had expected to start, the acquisition of James Harden altered those plans. With Harden re-signing, Westbrook became expendable.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. In contrast, Kris Dunn, who replaced Westbrook, averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists with the Jazz. Dunn’s defensive skills and ability to integrate into the offense make him a better fit as Harden’s backup.
As Westbrook joins the Nuggets, he will aim to secure a prominent role on their second unit. At 35, this might be his last chance to win an NBA championship.
Westbrook’s move to the Nuggets is surprising, given the team’s recent talent losses and lack of assets to replace players like Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets are hopeful that young talents such as Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Christian Braun can step up, but it remains unclear how Westbrook will fit into the lineup.
Westbrook is replacing Reggie Jackson, who was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Jackson’s shooting versatility was more suitable alongside Nikola Jokic, whereas Westbrook’s shooting limitations make his fit alongside Jokic questionable. With Aaron Gordon already in the starting lineup and his shooting concerns, adding Westbrook could be challenging.
The hope is that Westbrook can effectively lead the second unit and maintain team performance during non-Jokic minutes. However, given Westbrook’s recent struggles, there may be concerns about his impact on the team’s success.