Russell Westbrook, Nuggets agree to 2-year deal

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Russell Westbrook averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game last season.

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The Denver Nuggets added some depth to their backcourt in a deal that had long been expected.

Russell Westbrook signed a deal with the Denver Nuggets reported to be for two years, $6.8 million, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Westbrook was dealt to the Utah Jazz on July 18 but was waived two days later. His move to Denver had been reported since the initial deal that allowed the LA Clippers to work a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz to acquire guard Kris Dunn.

Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 MVP for Oklahoma City, was traded for the fifth time in his career. He has now been traded to Utah by both franchises in his native Los Angeles in the past 18 months.

The 35-year-old Westbrook has reportedly opted into the final year of his contract with the Clippers, who were to pay him just over $4 million. The point guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game while mostly coming off the bench last season for the Clippers, who were bounced by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Kawhi Leonard was injured.

Denver needs guard depth after parting with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.

Westbrook’s run in LA: The trade from the Clippers to Utah ended Westbrook’s two attempts to win a championship in his hometown of LA He first had a wildly disappointing 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers, who acquired him in August 2021 to be the third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis on a team with title aspirations.

Instead, Westbrook managed just 17.4 points per game for the Lakers while struggling to play alongside James and Davis with any of his usual effectiveness. The Lakers traded Westbrook to Utah in February 2023, and he signed with the Clippers after the Jazz bought out his contract.

Westbrook improved his shooting percentage with the Clippers, but also never returned to the heights of his high-scoring, ball-dominating peak on another team with veteran stars. He had a diminished role for much of the second half of last season while largely coming off the bench.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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