Westbrook Traded to Jazz, Set to Join Nuggets Post-Buyout

The Utah Jazz have acquired Russell Westbrook in a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sending point guard Kris Dunn, a second-round pick swap, and cash considerations in return, according to sources informed by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Westbrook is anticipated to finalize a buyout agreement with the Jazz, paving the way for him to join the Denver Nuggets, Wojnarowski reports.

Kris Dunn is expected to secure a three-year, $17 million contract with the Clippers, as reported by Brad Turner of the L.A. Times. Dunn, known for his defensive prowess on the perimeter, stabilized his career in Utah after several moves across the league. The former fifth overall draft pick achieved over a 50% effective field-goal rate in his two seasons with the Jazz, a career first in his eight-year tenure in the NBA.

This marks the second instance of Westbrook being traded to Utah without playing a game for the team. The Jazz had previously acquired the nine-time All-Star from the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2023 trade deadline in a three-team deal that included the Minnesota Timberwolves. Westbrook subsequently signed with the Clippers.

Westbrook will be joining his sixth NBA team as he continues his pursuit of an NBA championship. In the previous season, the Timberwolves eliminated the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.

The addition of Westbrook is set to strengthen Denver's backcourt following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who signed a three-year contract with the Orlando Magic this offseason. The Nuggets also lost point guard Reggie Jackson to free agency. Westbrook's experience will be valuable to a youthful Nuggets bench, which includes Julian Strawther, Christian Braun, and Peyton Watson, who together have only five years of NBA experience.

During his last season with the Clippers, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 assists, and five rebounds across 68 games.