Report: Nikola Jokic Wants Nuggets To Acquire Russell Westbrook

According to NBA reporter Harrison Wind of DNVR, Nikola Jokic wants the Denver Nuggets to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Los Angeles Clippers. 

The Clippers are looking to trade Westbrook, who picked up his 2024-25 player option worth $4 million.

The Nuggets and Westbrook have mutual interest.

Jokic went to the Nuggets front office and requested Russ pic.twitter.com/ZahGrKCscb

— clippers fan (@wembyszns) July 1, 2024

The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 45.4% overall, 27.3% from 3 and 68.8% from the foul line.

LAC lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games. 

The Clippers had to convince Westbrook to come off the bench after acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers and it wasn’t an easy process, per NBA reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. 

The Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games. The franchise lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic on the first day of free agency. 

One of the greatest players in NBA history, Westbrook has career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. He won the 2016-17 MVP Award. 

The Clippers lost Paul George to the Sixers in free agency after refusing to offer him a four-year deal. They re-signed Harden and signed Derrick Jones Jr.

Jokic won the 2023-24 MVP Award. He’s now a three-time MVP. The big man averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 58.3% from the field, 35.9% from 3 and 81.7% from the foul line. He had 68 double-doubles and 25 triple-doubles. 

If Jokic is pushing the Nuggets to trade for Westbrook, we may see a trade happen soon. Westbrook is still looking to win his first title. Denver won the 2023 championship against the Miami Heat in five games.