Report: Nuggets To Sign Russell Westbrook To 2-Year Deal

According to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Denver Nuggets will likely sign Russell Westbrook to a two-year deal. 

The Los Angeles Clippers traded Westbrook to the Utah Jazz, who waived the future Hall of Famer, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

“Russell Westbrook is reportedly coming, likely on another two-year deal with a player option, per league sources,” Lowe wrote. “Westbrook is perhaps the worst high-volume 3-point shooter in history, and has done well recently to excise all but wide-open corner 3s. The Nuggets are hopeful Westbrook can create 3s for teammates by pushing the pace amid stretchier reserve heavy-lineups with Dario Saric at center. Westbrook’s rim pressure generates free throws; Denver needs more of those.”

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 for the Clippers while shooting 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc and 68.8% from the foul line.

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

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 with the Thunder.

The Nuggets, who won the 2023 title against the Miami Heat in five games, lost in the second round of the 2024 playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games. 

According to NBA reporter Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic endorsed the idea of the Nuggets acquiring Westbrook, who is still looking to win his first championship.