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

n a significant move in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers have traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz. According to reports from CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter, Westbrook will not stay with the Jazz but is expected to join the Denver Nuggets after a contract buyout. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has confirmed these developments.

This trade is part of a larger deal initially reported by Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes on July 1. In this deal, Utah guard Kris Dunn will join the Clippers as an unrestricted free agent on a three-year, $17 million contract. The Clippers also sent a second-round pick swap and cash to the Jazz.

Westbrook, who opted into the final year of his contract worth just over $4 million earlier this summer, is now set to negotiate a buyout with the Jazz to facilitate his move to Denver. The mutual interest between Westbrook and the Nuggets has been speculated for some time, and now it appears set to materialize.

Though Westbrook is past his prime All-Star and MVP-winning days, he still demonstrated value as a scorer and facilitator off the bench for the Clippers last season. His defensive effort in the second unit was crucial, and he brings veteran leadership to a Nuggets team that has seen a quiet offseason after losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic.

The Clippers seemed poised to trade Westbrook once he opted into his deal, signaling a new era for the team, particularly with the departure of Paul George. Kris Dunn, who has played for several teams including the Timberwolves, Bulls, Hawks, Trail Blazers, and Jazz, will join the Clippers. Dunn, known for his defensive prowess, has recently improved his three-point shooting, making him a valuable addition to L.A.’s second unit.

This trade marks Westbrook’s fifth since 2019, the most ever for a former league MVP. Interestingly, this is the second consecutive year he has been traded to Utah. The Lakers traded him to the Jazz at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, but he was waived by the Jazz shortly after and then signed with the Clippers.

Kris Dunn’s defensive capabilities and his potential as a three-point shooter will be significant assets for the Clippers. If he can maintain his shooting consistency, Dunn will provide much-needed depth and defensive strength off the bench for L.A.