Russell Westbrook is heading to the mountains.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers traded the veteran guard to the Jazz, while Kris Dunn completed a sign-and-trade with Utah. Report on Thursday.
Surprisingly, Wojnarowski added that Westbrook and Utah are expected to reach a buyout agreement, which would “pave the way” for Westbrook to eventually join the Nuggets as a free agent.
The Clippers also sent a second-round pick to the Jazz in the trade.
Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his career with the Thunder before spending the past five seasons with the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers and Clippers.
Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season.
He was a weakness when shooting from beyond the arc, hitting just 27.3 percent of his 3-point attempts last season.
Westbrook will join the Nuggets, who won an NBA championship in 2023 but lost in the second round this year to the upstart Timberwolves.
The Clippers, who lost in six games to the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, remain a team in transition after also losing star forward Paul George, who signed with the Sixers this offseason.
Denver needs a backup point guard. From ESPNQuestions remain about whether Westbrook is suited to a bench role.
The 35-year-old primarily served as a reserve for the Clippers last season, appearing in 68 games and starting 11, averaging a career-low in points per game.
In May, Westbrook criticized reports that he was unhappy with his role on the bench.
“I am often mentioned by many ‘sources’ and sports news media,” he wrote on Instagram.
“After this season ended, I wanted to share my true thoughts and words. Please understand that anything you read about what I may or may not have said is most likely fabricated. I have never had any issues sharing my thoughts or ideas on anything and most of the time I choose to keep my thoughts to myself.”
Westbrook acknowledged that this season has been frustrating but denied that he was reluctant to accept a reserve role.
“I just want to share some of my true feelings with Clippers fans and all of our fans,” he continued.
“It’s a difficult time for a lot of people because there are certain expectations placed on them, so it’s understandable that there’s pressure to invent a story or assign blame for what many would see as a disappointing end to a season.”
“Personally, I have enjoyed this year and worked hard to energize and inspire my team to take advantage of the opportunities we were given,” he admitted. “I felt, and will continue to feel, willing to take on a new role and make some sacrifices in the hopes of making the team better. Although I hoped for a different outcome, I have also enjoyed competing alongside my teammates this year, who supported me throughout the season.”
