Clippers trade Westbrook to Utah, expected to sign with Denver after buyout

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Los Angeles Clippers just shipped veteran point guard Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz confirmed on July 19, 2024.

After collecting his $4 million player option for the 2024-2025 NBA season, Westbrook was on the move again, arriving in Utah in exchange for Utah’s Kris Dunn.

Aside from the decorated daredevil floor general, the Jazz will also be receiving a future second-round pick swap from the Clippers.

However, that Jazz route will only be a stepping stone for Westbrook to sign with the Denver Nuggets announced by ESPN’s veteran NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

According to Wojnarowski, Westbrook is expected to reinforce Denver’s backcourt after he clears his waivers with the Jazz.

“Westbrook is expected to agree on a contract buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to eventually join the Denver Nuggets after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski posted on his official X account.

The Nuggets are in dire need of a backcourt boost after the departure of their seasoned ball handler Reggie Jackson who earned a contract from the Charlotte Hornets.

With Westbrook arriving with the Nuggets, Jamal Murray, the current superstar guard of Denver, will have a new mentor to lean on when the upcoming NBA season kicks off again this October.

During the recently concluded NBA season, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during the regular season for the Clippers.

In the playoffs, Westbrook’s production was only limited to 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in just six games against the Dallas Mavericks.

The former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) made one of the biggest sacrifices in his entire career after agreeing to come off the bench in his tenure with the Clippers.

After the Clippers added James Harden to their talented roster, the coaching staff decided to turn him as the team’s primary point guard while Westbrook filled the role of a backup energy player.

However, those adjustments still failed to steer Los Angeles to a championship campaign as they only reached the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.