Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s MVP and nine-time All-Star point guard, has agreed to a two-year, $6.8 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, per ESPN.
Westbrook was traded from the Clippers to the Jazz last week. The Jazz bought out his contract and waived him, and the Nuggets began talks to sign him as Jamal Murray’s backup. The Nuggets lacked depth in the playoffs and were in desperate need of guard depth after trading away veterans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month, according to The Associated Press.
Westbrook played 68 games (11 starts) for the Clippers last season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.10 steals in 22.5 minutes per game. After spending the first 12 years of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he played one season with the Wizards and one with the Rockets.
According to a news release, the 15-year NBA veteran comes to Denver with a great résumé that includes a league MVP, 10 All-NBA Honours, 9 All-Star appearances, two All-Star Game MVPs, and selection to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021-22.
Westbrook and his new teammate, Nikola Jokić, have recorded 329 triple-doubles, which is more than any of the other 29 teams in their franchise history. The Lakers have the most, with 316.
Westbrook has also led the league in scoring twice and in assists three times on his way to becoming the NBA’s all-time leader with 199 triple-doubles.
The 35-year-old Long Beach, California native was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder after two seasons at UCLA, where he was named PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, All-PAC 12 Third Team, and Pac-12 All-Tournament Team as a sophomore in 2008.
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