Westbrook reportedly headed for Nuggets after Clippers-Jazz deal

The Denver Nuggets plan to sign NBA veteran Russell Westbrook as a free agent after the future Hall of Famer clears waivers, the Denver Post reported Thursday.

Westbrook picked up a $4 million player option in June to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, who moved him via a sign-and-trade on Thursday to the Utah Jazz, who are expected to reach terms on a contract buyout that would make him available to Denver.

ESPN reported the Clippers will receive guard Kris Dunn from the Jazz along with a second-round draft pick exchange and cash in the deal.

Westbrook reportedly headed for Nuggets after Clippers-Jazz deal

Westbrook, 35, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season, mostly coming off the bench.

He started 11 regular-season games for the Clippers, who won 51 games before falling to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.

Westbrook is the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 199.

The Nuggets would be his sixth team in seven seasons after he spent the first 10 years of his career in Oklahoma City.

In Denver he would team with Serbian star Nikola Jook, who is fourth on the all-time triple-doubles list with 130 and chasing Westbrook’s total.

Westbrook Reportedly Headed for Nuggets After Clippers-Jazz Deal - This is Beirut

Jook led the Nuggets to a first NBA championship in 2023, but Denver fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games in the second round of the playoffs in May.

3 Different Starting Lineups The Nuggets Could Use For The 2024-25 NBA Season

The Denver Nuggets can go for another NBA championship by utilizing three different starting lineups.

The Denver Nuggets had an excellent run to the 2023 championship two seasons ago thanks to the superstar play of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and a stacked depth chart. Two years later, key players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green are no longer on the roster meaning the Nuggets had to desperately sign former MVP and veteran point guard Russell Westbrook this summer. Looking ahead to 2024-25, the Nuggets can employ three different starting lineups in their bid to win another title.

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Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

The “Playing It Safe” lineup features a combination of seasoned experience and youthful energy with Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. This configuration is the Nuggets’ tried-and-true setup, one that has brought them considerable success in recent seasons with Braun stepping in for the departed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.