Russell Westbrook bound for Nuggets after Clippers-Jazz trade
Russell Westbrook is headed for the mountains.
The Clippers traded the veteran guard to the Jazz for Kris Dunn, who executed a sign-and-trade with Utah, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday.
In a twist, Wojnarowski added that Westbrook and Utah are expected to reach a buyout agreement, thus “clearing the way” for Westbrook to ultimately join the Nuggets as a free agent.
The Clippers also sent a second-round pick to the Jazz in the trade.
“Russ is an all-time great, and we were fortunate to have him here,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. “He lifted the energy and intensity of the group. We look forward to seeing him continue his decorated career.”
After spending the first 11 years of his career with the Thunder, Westbrook has since bounced around, playing for the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers and Clippers in the last five seasons.
This past season, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
He is a liability when he shoots from behind the arc, as he made just 27.3 percent of his 3-pointers this past season.
Westbrook will be joining a Nuggets team that won the NBA championship in 2023, but fell in the second round to an up-and-coming Timberwolves squad this year.
The Clippers, who lost in six games to the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, continue to be a team in transition, also losing star forward Paul George, who signed with the Sixers this offseason.
Denver is in need of a backup point guard, per ESPN, and there are lingering questions about Westbrook’s fit for that bench role.
The 35-year-old was mostly in a reserve role for the Clippers this past season, appearing in 68 games with 11 starts, and he averaged a career-low points per game.
In May, Westbrook took aim at a report that suggested he was frustrated with his bench role.
“I am often the topic of conversation by so many ‘sources’ and sports news outlets,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I felt inclined to share my actual thoughts and words following this season. Understand that anything you read about what I’ve said or haven’t said has likely been fabricated. I’ve never had any trouble sharing my thoughts or ideas on anything, and I choose to keep my thoughts to myself in most cases.”
Westbrook acknowledged that the season was frustrating but denied having been unwilling to embrace a reserve role.
“I’d like to share some of my actual thoughts to Clipper nation and all of my fans, he continued.
“It’s a difficult time for a lot of people due to certain expectations that have been placed on them. Therefore, it’s understandable that there is pressure to plant stories or point the finger for what many would classify as a disappointing end to our season.
“I for one enjoyed my year, and worked hard to bring the energy, and provide a spark for our team with each opportunity I was given,” he acknowledged. “I felt that I was and remain more than willing to take on new roles, and make certain sacrifices in hope that it would make our team better. I hoped for a different outcome, but I also enjoyed being in the trenches with my teammates this year, who have all been supportive of me throughout the season.”
The Clippers will be the sixth NBA team in nine seasons for Dunn, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Dunn averaged 5.4 points and 3.8 assists per game last season for the Jazz while starting 32 of his 66 games.
“Kris is a relentless point-of-attack defender, a connector on the offensive end and a terrific teammate,” Frank said, according to AP. “He’ll help improve our defense and balance our backcourt.”
