Report: Nikola Jokic Not Pressuring Nuggets To Acquire Russell Westbrook, Has Endorsed Idea

According to NBA reporter Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, Nikola Jokic has endorsed the idea of the Denver Nuggets acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Los Angeles Clippers.

However, Jokic is not pressuring the Nuggets to trade for Westbrook. 

“Russell Westbrook remains a target for that role, sources say, and Denver is widely seen as the most plausible destination for the future Hall of Famer, who picked up a $4 million player option with the Clippers at the end of June,” Durando wrote. “Nikola Jokic has indeed endorsed the idea of acquiring Westbrook, according to a league source, but he hasn’t approached the front office demanding or pressuring Denver to make it happen.

“The Nuggets value the opinion of their superstar and take it into account when assessing potential roster moves, like most teams do. In this case? Jokic has spent time around Westbrook at multiple All-Star Games and has always admired his game, as well as his competitiveness and intensity, one source said, making Westbrook an appealing teammate.”

Westbrook, who picked up his 2024-25 player option worth $4 million, is working with the Clippers on a trade. 

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 in 2023-24 while shooting 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc and 68.8% from the foul line.

LAC lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games. Paul George left the Clippers in free agency for the Philadelphia 76ers after not receiving a four-year deal from his hometown team. 

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

One of the top 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 Nuggets, who won the 2023 title against the Miami Heat, lost in the second round of the 2024 playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves.