According to NBA writer Harrison Wind of DNVR, Nikola Jokic wants the Denver Nuggets to trade for Russell Westbrook from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers are looking to trade Westbrook, who picked up a $4 million player option for 2024-25.
The Nuggets and Westbrook have a mutual interest.
Jokic went to the Nuggets front office and requested Russ pic.twitter.com/ZahGrKCscb
— clippers fan (@wembyszns) July 1, 2024
Westbrook, the NBA’s all-time triple-double leader, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24, shooting 45.4% overall, 27.3% from three, and 68.8% from the free throw line.
Los Angeles Clippers were defeated in six games by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
After acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers had to convince Westbrook to come off the bench, which was not an easy task, according to NBA reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
In the second round of the 2024 playoffs, the Nuggets were defeated in seven games by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic on the first day of free agency.
Westbrook, one of the greatest players in NBA history, with career averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Clippers. He received the 2016-17 MVP Award.
The Clippers lost Paul George to the Sixers in free agency after declining to offer him a four-year contract. They re-signed Harden and added Derrick Jones Jr.
Jokic earned the 2023-24 MVP Award. He’s now the three-time MVP. The big man averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 58.3% from the field, 35.9% from three, and 81.7% from the charity stripe. He recorded 68 double-doubles and 25 triple-doubles.
If Jokic is pressuring the Nuggets to trade for Westbrook, we could see a deal happen shortly. Westbrook is still hoping to win his first title. Denver won the 2023 title in five games over the Miami Heat.