The Denver Nuggets could still use a backup point guard for Jamal Murray. Sure, the Nuggets signed Tyus Jones for the job, but he's viewed as a ball control expert who doesn't turn the ball over. He's undersized, and he doesn't have the same fire that former Nugget Russell Westbrook has. But Nuggets fans who were hoping for a potential reunion with the future Hall of Famer Westbrook as the answer to the Nuggets backcourt depth issue can put those feelings to bed after he officially announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons.
Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026
You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
Westbrook spent one of those 18 seasons in the Mile High City, his 17th in the league. He averaged a stellar 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds during 2024-25, playing in 75 games and finishing in 7th place for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
More than that, he'll forever be remembered for his antics and dunk/technical in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Perhaps one of, if not the greatest, technical Ball Arena has seen. That's the fire that was missing this past season, and I was hopeful the Nuggets and Russ would be able to reunite to inject that energy back into the squad. Instead, the search will continue for more backcourt depth, I hope.
Tyus Jones shouldn't be the only backup point guard on the roster
A major reason I was hopeful for a reunion with Westbrook is that he was probably the most talented player still left on the board in free agency in the Nuggets' price range who can provide ball control, playmaking, and shot creation. The Nuggets could use shot creation, and they could have used Westbrook a lot this year because Jones isn't the answer.
While the Nuggets did admittedly need ball control this offseason, and Jones is absolutely one of the best in the league in that department, he doesn't offer much else. Jones got substantial playing time in Games 5 and 6 of the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing 13 and 12 minutes, respectively.
He put up a lowly 3.5 points and 2.5 assists per game over those two games. In a quarter of basketball. He didn't turn the ball over, but that's literally his expertise. He's not going to be a difference-maker, and he could even be a liability without the proper rotation around him.
Hopefully, the Nuggets figure out another point guard to put on the roster behind Murray. Because if something happens to Murray this season, Jones isn't going to provide the answer that Westbrook would have for the Nuggets.
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