Report: Russell Westbrook to join Denver Nuggets after being bought out following sign-and-trade deal involving Utah Jazz

NBA guard Russell Westbrook is anticipated to sign with the Denver Nuggets after being bought out by

the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade deal.

On July 20, Utah formally waived Westbrook.

After clearing waivers and being purchased out of his contract by the Jazz, Westbrook will join the team,

according to sources. Entering his 19th season in the NBA, Westbrook may choose to conclude his career

in Denver, making the triple-double king an excellent addition for the Nuggets.

Dunn reportedly agreed to a deal with the Clippers as an unrestricted free agent; this is purportedly an

enlarged deal, which was first reported on July 1 by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. Dunn is entered

into a sign-and-trade agreement with the Clippers for a three-year, $17 million contract, according to

Haynes.

The Clippers also sent the Jazz cash and a swap of second-round picks.

After playing two seasons with the Clippers, where he started and was a bench player in rotation, the

former MVP is formally leaving the franchise. In addition, Westbrook spent two seasons as a player for

the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Houston Rockets in 2019–20 and the Washington

Wizards in 2020–21.

He was selected in 2008 by the Seattle Super Sonics, but the team moved to Oklahoma City the following

year, therefore he played the majority of his career with the Thunder.

Following his MVP campaign in 2016–17, Westbrook made an NBA Finals appearance with the Thunder

and went on to become the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.

Third-team MVP Nikola Jokic, who urged Westbrook to join the group, is presently ranked fourth all-

time in triple-doubles. Westbrook made history in 2016–17 when he averaged a triple-double in

consecutive seasons.

In addition, he broke Robertson’s single-season record for them that same year, making him and

Robertson the only players in league history to average a triple-double for the season.  was 41, the

number set during 1961–1962.

He averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a game while playing for the Clippers

the previous season. Westbrook averaged 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in the

postseason the previous year. After dropping the series 4-2, Los Angeles was defeated by the Dallas

Mavericks in the opening round.

After Westbrook clears waivers, the Nuggets will acquire him. Denver will gain a nine-time NBA All-Star

and seasoned player who has made a mark on the league with his physical prowess and intense

performance every night on the floor. Westbrook can also impart his experience to other players.

The Nuggets have traded Reggie thus far. Jackson and three unprotected second-round choices were

traded to the Charlotte Hornets. In addition, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the team due to free agency

after agreeing to a $66 million, three-year contract with the Orlando Magic. The team and standout

guard Jamal Murray were also negotiating a four-year, $209 million deal extension.