Russell Westbrook Traded to the Jazz, Expected to Join the Nuggets After Buyout

Russell Westbrook at the ESPY Awards in 2017
Russell Westbrook at the ESPY Awards in 2017. Photo by Stewart Cook/REX/Shutterstock (8957355es)

For the second time in his career, future Hall of Fame point guard Russell Westbrook has been traded to the Utah Jazz. Once again, Westbrook will be bought out by the Jazz and sign somewhere else, with the Denver Nuggets currently being considered favorites to land him.

The Clippers agreed to a trade with the Jazz that will see Westbrook, a 2030 second-round pick swap, the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica, and $4.3 million in cash head to Utah. In exchange, the LA team is receiving guard Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade deal. Dunn signed a three-year, $17 million contract as part of the agreement.

Westbrook will now be bought out by the Jazz and will most likely clear his waivers. Once he hits the free agency, he will agree to a deal with the Nuggets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Westbrook previously picked up his $4 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers but was expected to leave the franchise all along, especially after his friend Paul George departed in free agency.

Westbrook took a sixth-man role with the Clippers in 2023-24 after the franchise traded for James Harden and made him their starting point guard. The former NBA MVP proceeded to have the worst season in his pro career, averaging 22.5 minutes, 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, all career-lows.

With the Nuggets, Westbrook could have a more meaningful role, considering the team’s need for backcourt depth. Denver previously lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson in free agency and is yet to replace them.