The blockbuster decision for Paul George to leave the Los Angeles Clippers for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency earlier this summer is now having lasting effects after it is expected that Russell Westbrook is expected to join the Denver Nuggets after the Clippers and Jazz trade today, per Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook initially picked up his $4 million player option with the Clippers at the beginning of the off season but after George decided to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philly, the Clippers front office deemed it would be best to find “the right fit” for the former MVP and nine-time All-Star. Westbrook was initially brought into LA to run as the starting point guard but after the Clippers traded for James Harden, Westbrook found himself falling to the sixth man spot in the rotation. Westbrook provided a jolt off the bench for the Clippers but still managed to average a career low in points per game, 11.1, and never really seemed to mesh with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and the rest of the Clippers roster. Due to Westbrook opting into that player option, the Clippers traded Westbrook earlier this morning to the Utah Jazz for guard Kris Dunn, a second round draft pick swap, and cash.
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. pic.twitter.com/HOAoYgyn59
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2024
Russell Westbrook has not officially joined the Denver Nuggets yet, but it is highly likely he will be the newest addition in the Rocky Mountains once he clears waivers. There were rumblings of Westbrook becoming a nugget earlier this month as three-time MVP Nikola Jokic openly expressed his thoughts on Westbrook’s athleticism and tenacity and how it could improve this Nuggets roster. A major plus to Westbrook joining the former champion Nuggets is that he can fill some of the void that was left after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson departed at the beginning of free agency. Although Westbrook’s offensive production has been down, he can still provide a spark off the bench with his athleticism and defensive prowess. With the Nuggets trying to maintain a firm grip on their championship window, this proven veteran addition could be a major one to help bolster the Nuggets bench and take some primary ball handling responsibility off of Jamal Murray. It seems like the stars have aligned for Westbrook to get another fresh start on a championship caliber team and the Nuggets might have found the veteran depth they need to help develop an upcoming bench that has yet to prove they can hold their own without Jokic on the floor in the playoffs.
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