Denver Nuggets sign former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook

Posted by author July 26, 2024 NBA

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The Denver Nuggets have added a longtime Western Conference rival and former NBA MVP.

After weeks of speculation, Russell Westbrook officially agreed to join the Nuggets on a two-year contract, with a player option for the second year.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium initially reported the deal, which is worth $6.8 million over two seasons.

The Nuggets have reportedly been targeting the 35-year-old guard as a primary bench option since losing starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in free agency.

Westbrook (the 2017 NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star) started just 11 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, the fewest in his 16-year career.

He averaged 11 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, finishing seventh in NBA 6th Man of the Year voting.

This will be Westbrook’s fifth different team in six seasons after spending his first 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook joins reigning MVP Nikola Jokic as the Nuggets chase another NBA title.

Denver won the 2023 championship but fell to Minnesota in this past year’s Western Conference semifinals, where overall bench depth was a main concern.

Westbrook is expected to be one of Denver’s primary ballhandlers off the bench after the Nuggets traded Colorado native Reggie Jackson last month.