The NBA’s worst-kept secret is finally out in the open as the Denver Nuggets have officially signed Russell Westbrook. Dots have been connected for months ever since Westbrook opted into his contract with the Clippers and their divorce became inevitable.
Shams Charania of the Athletic reported on Friday that Westbrook is signing a two-year $6.8 million deal with the Nuggets and that the second year of the deal is a player-option.
Russell Westbrook is joining the Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets needed a backup point guard badly to replace Reggie Jackson and they also needed a veteran presence coming off the bench. As the dust settled, it became clear that Russ was the most logical and realistic option. Once reports came out that there was mutual interest and that Nikola Jokic was pushing for the Nuggets to add Westbrook, this felt like a done deal.
Ultimately, that proved to be the case as this signing was more of a formality than anything else. The Clippers were able to sneak Westbrook into a trade to the Jazz for Kris Dunn, allowing them to get off his contract. The Jazz promptly waived Russ, allowing him to hit waivers.
He went unclaimed, which paved the way for him to sign with the Nuggets as an unrestricted free agent. The fit is a risky one, but it makes perfect sense for both sides. The Nuggets need somebody Michael Malone can trust to run the second unit and provide energy, leadership, and toughness.
Westbrook will play a key role off the Nuggets bench
Westbrook can do that in spades and had one of his best defensive seasons last year. In an ideal world, he can come in and play a role similar to what Bruce Brown did two years ago during the team’s championship run.
This move has been a long time coming and has been assumed for almost a month now. Well, it’s here and official, and Nuggets fans better get used to the idea of Westbrook in Denver. Hopefully, there’s an understanding of what Russ’ role will be.
If it doesn’t work out, this could be the end of the road for Westbrook. He has a lot to prove and a lot to gain if this goes well. Westbrook fitting in and finding an important role off the bench while helping the Nuggets win a title would be the ultimate swan song for a hall-of-fame career.