Information from reliable sources: Westbrook to join Nuggets following the Clippers-Jazz swap

The Clippers and Jazz reached an agreement which included Russell Westbrook, who is likely to join the Nuggets after Utah was released from his MVP.

By Ohm Youngmisuk

Jul 18, 2024 06:34 PM

The Clippers and Jazz signed a trade and trade and sign-and-trade agreement involving Russell Westbrook , the teams announced Thursday. Sources informed the ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the former MVP is likely to join the Nuggets following Utah waives his rights and buys out the remaining term of his contract.

The Clippers received Guard Kris Dunn from the Jazz as part of a trade-signing agreement. It was said the Clippers and Dunn agreed to a deal for three years. The total amount is $17 million with a non-guaranteed year for the 3rd year of contract sources have informed Wojnarowski.

Utah also received an exchange for the 2030 second round draft and draft rights for the centre Balsa Koprivica who was selected at 57th place in the 2021 NBA draft and $4.3 million in cash, from sources.

Westbrook returns after an 2023-24 campaign that saw him record an unheard-of low 11.1 score with the Clippers. The Nuggets have an experienced point guard who can provide the vigor and energy needed to play defense after his departure. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson left in free agency.

“I think we need some help in the backcourt,” Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth told ”Altitude TV” in a Tuesday interview. “We will attempt to keep looking for the need and then look over the market. There is one roster spot and I believe that if we could include a top-level guard, we’ll be satisfied with it. “

Westbrook 35 which is currently an official Clippers player, chose to sign a 4-year agreement worth 4 million dollars during March. However, Clippers president of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank recently met with Westbrook’s agent in order to determine the ideal match for the 9-time All-Star following the announcement of Paul George left to join the Philadelphia Sixers as an agent on the open market.

“Russ is an all-time great, and we were fortunate to have him here,” Frank declared in a statement. “He brought out the energy and passion of the band. We’re looking forward to seeing Russ continue his impressive career. “

Westbrook was playing in this season’s starting lineup as the main point guard for the Clippers. But, LA traded him for James Harden and Westbrook was elevated to a sixth-man role within a short time. The Clippers then enjoyed an unbeaten streak of 26-5 during their most productive period in the league.

Westbrook also set a career low at 4.5 assists and 22.5 minutes. The fan-favorite had some of the best performance in the defensive department of his time. He was ranked fourth in field-goal percentage for a defensive player who could contest shots against players who took 300+ shots during the previous season, according to Second Spectrum tracking.

Westbrook often was a player often with George who was a friend of his and also his former Thunder player on the his court. They Clippers are currently looking to acquire Kawhi Leonard, and Harden and are also adding defensive players such as Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Nicolas Batum in free agency.

Dunn earned 5.4 scores per game. He also had 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals and shot 36.9 percent at the three point line over 66 games, which was his best since his rookie campaign of 2016-17.

Dunn is also sixth in deflections per hour for players who played at least 1000 minutes in research conducted by ESPN Stats & Information. The Clippers were looking to acquire defensive-minded Dunn from the start of the free market.