Russell Westbrook Heads To Jazz In Trade, Set For Nuggets Move

Russell Westbrook is on the move again, though he hasn't reached his final stop. The Los Angeles Clippers traded Westbrook to the Utah Jazz on Thursday in a sign-and-trade deal, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The Jazz plan to buy out Westbrook's contract, allowing him to join the Denver Nuggets.

Westbrook, 35, was named NBA MVP in the 2016-17 season, averaging a career-high 31.6 points, along with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. However, during the 2023-24 season with the Clippers, he posted career lows of 11.1 points and 4.5 assists per game, adding 5 rebounds.

In his 16-year career spanning 1,162 games, Westbrook has averaged 21.7 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game. He holds the record for most career triple-doubles in NBA history with 199.

To finalise the trade, Utah will also receive a swap of second-round draft picks and cash from Los Angeles while sending guard Kris Dunn to the Clippers. The Nuggets believe Westbrook can add depth off the bench and assist them in another title run after their elimination in the Western Conference semi-finals in May.

Dunn has career averages of 7.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds since being drafted fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016. Last season for the Jazz, Dunn averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds over 66 games.

The Clippers were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs this year. In those six playoff games, Westbrook averaged just 6.3 points, along with 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

During his time with the Clippers last season, Westbrook came off the bench in most games he played—57 out of 68—while shooting only 27.3% from three-point range.

BREAKING: Clippers are sending Russell Westbrook, second-round pick swap and cash to the Jazz in a sign and trade for Kris Dunn, per @wojespn

Westbrook is expected to agree on a contract buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to join the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/H6MnljgYeZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 18, 2024

This move marks Denver as Westbrook's sixth team in seven seasons—a testament to his journeyman status in recent years.

The Nuggets are optimistic about what Westbrook can bring to their roster despite his recent struggles with shooting efficiency.

The Jazz's acquisition of Dunn adds a versatile guard who has shown flashes of potential throughout his career but has yet to find consistent success at any one stop.

This trade signifies another chapter in Westbrook's storied career as he seeks to contribute meaningfully to a championship contender once more.