NBA

Clippers trade Russell Westbrook to Jazz, former MVP will join Nuggets after buyout: Report

Westbrook, 35, is seeking his first NBA title as he reportedly plans to join the 2023 champions.

Russell Westbrook
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Russell Westbrook is on the move.

The 2017 NBA MVP reportedly was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Jazz will buy out Westbrook's contract, and he is then expected to sign with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent.

Westbrook -- who turns 36 in November -- joined the Clippers in February of 2023 after the Jazz, coincidentally, bought out his contract following a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The nine-time NBA All-Star averaged a career-low 11.1 points over 68 games for the Clippers last season. In 16 seasons, Westbrook holds career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.

The Nuggets will be Westbrook's sixth team after stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-19), Houston Rockets (2019-20), Washington Wizards (2020-21), Lakers (2021-23) and Clippers (2023-24).

Denver should have playing time to offer after losing guards Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason. Westbrook is still seeking his first career title as the Nuggets, who won the 2023 NBA Finals, look to recapture the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

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