Skip Bayless warns Nuggets of potential ‘disaster’ over Paul Pierce proposal

After falling short of expectations a year after winning their first NBA Championship, the Denver Nuggets are looking to bolster a roster that underperformed this season. One way the team looks to do that is by adding former MVP Russell Westbrook, which could be a good or bad move depending on what role he fills, according to Skip Bayless and Paul Pierce.

With reports surfacing that Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and acquired by the Utah Jazz, it also became apparent that Westbrook would be heading to Denver. Three-time and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic reportedly pushed for Westbrook to join him and the Nuggets, and Paul Pierce said on FS1’s “Undisputed” this week that he was in favor of the move.

“He gives them leadership off the court,” Pierce said of Westbrook. “I kind of look at it as a Jason Kidd role in Dallas. Jason Kidd, he wasn’t Jason Kidd then, but he was so valuable then in terms of leadership and playmaking and defending multiple positions like Russ can do. I think it’s a great fit.”

However, Pierce took it one step further, which led to strong reactions from fans and media.

“I would make him the starter. … I like the move with Russ as the starter with Jamal Murray at the 2 and I think (the Nuggets) can still make some waves as a contender as long as (Nikola Jokic) is still playing at an MVP level,” Pierce said.

Skip Bayless Response to Paul Pierce’s Russell Westbrook-Nuggets Suggestion

While the Nuggets now have a starting position open with the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic this offseason, having Westbrook take that spot could spell some trouble for the Nuggets, who have developed one of the most lethal one-two punches in Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray. The duo has dominated the ball for the Nuggets — they accounted for 45.2 percent of the team’s total assists this past season — and taking the ball out of their hands often doesn’t seem wise.

Skip Bayless agrees to it.

“Just to be clear, if the Nuggets do as Paul Pierce suggests and start Russell Westbrook at point guard, it’s going to be a DISASTER,” Bayless wrote on X, formerly of Twitter. “…and Joker will soon privately say, ‘What was I thinking?’”

If the Denver Nuggets have Jokic, they’ll probably be fine. Jokic is the best player in the league and can likely help the Nuggets win a second title if he gets the right supporting cast, but it’s questionable whether Westbrook’s style of play will work with Jokic and Murray.