The Nuggets signed Westbrook to a two-year, $6.8 million contract Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Westbrook was traded from the Clippers to the Jazz earlier this offseason. The veteran guard was then waived and has now joined the Nuggets after clearing waivers, as expected. In 2023-24, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.5 minutes across 68 regular-season appearances. In Denver, the 35-year-old point guard will likely earn the backup point guard role to Jamal Murray.
... See More... See Less
Russell Westbrook: Officially waived
Rotowire
The Jazz waived Westbrook on Saturday, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Westbrook was sent to Utah as part of a sign-and-trade that sent Kris Dunn to the Clippers. The expectation was that the Jazz would buy Westbrook's contract out, opening the door for the veteran point guard to sign with Denver after clearing waivers. Saturday's move will officially put Westbrook on waivers, and he should be expected to sign a contract with the Nuggets next week.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Russell Westbrook: Dealt to Utah, to sign with Denver
Rotowire
The Clippers are sending Westbrook, a second-round pick and cash to the Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Westbrook is expected to agree to a contract buyout with Utah, where he will ultimately land with Denver after clearing waivers.
The 35-year-old guard saw a reduced role in 2023-24, starting in just 11 of his 68 regular-season appearances and averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes. With Westbrook seemingly content with a bench role and not demanding a high salary, he could be an ideal backup point guard for a contending team such as the Nuggets.
Westbrook exercised his $4 million player option for the 2024-25 season Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The nine-time All-Star hasn't been a regular starter in the past two seasons, but he appears to have become comfortable in his role as a lead guard off the bench. Since he would have been unlikely to fetch much more than $4 million on the open market, Westbrook will stick around for a second full season with the Clippers, coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals across a career-low 22.5 minutes in 68 appearances. Westbrook's role could expand during the upcoming season if the Clippers aren't able to retain Paul George -- who is expected to decline his $48.79 million player option for 2024-25 and become an unrestricted free agent -- and don't replace him with another high-usage star.
