Nikola Jokic is already seen as the greatest to don a Denver Nuggets jersey, and he’s not even yet 30 years old. He’s the reigning MVP, an award he’s won three of the last four seasons. The season he didn’t win (2022-23), he was runner-up and instead won Finals MVP as Denver won their first-ever championship.
One would believe that if the seven-foot Jokic wants the Nuggets to do something, Denver’s front office will at least listen. He surely has earned that right. Nuggets insider Harrison Wind is reporting that Jokic wants a former MVP to join his side in Denver.
Nikola Jokic has pushed behind the scenes for the Nuggets to get Russell Westbrook. This isn’t the first time he’s wanted to play with him in Denver either. Westbrook would give Michael Malone a trusted, veteran ball handler, which is something the Nuggets need right now.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) July 1, 2024
Nikola Jokic Wants A Former MVP To Join Him With Nuggets?
Could Russell Westbrook Be Heading To The Nuggets?
Russell Westbrook picked up his $4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, so he currently isn’t a free agent. It has been reported though that the Los Angeles Clippers are seeking a trade for Westbrook, and he is unlikely to play for the team again.
While the Nuggets already employ Jamal Murray, they no longer have their backup point guard from last season. Reggie Jackson was traded during the draft to the Charlotte Hornets after he picked up his $5.25 million player option. Jackson appeared in all 82 games (23 starts) for Denver last season averaging 22.2 minutes per contest. The trade opened up a rotation spot off the bench that Westbrook (or another point guard) could fill.
How Much Does Westbrook Have Left In The Tank?
In his prime, Westbrook was easily one of the most dynamic players in the league. His 199 triple-doubles are the most in league history. In four different seasons, the six-foot-four point guard averaged a triple-double. While with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17, he was named MVP. Now 35 years old, Westbrook clearly isn’t that player anymore. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021-22 and received the brunt of the blame for their struggles. They went 33-49, missing out on the playoffs.
The Lakers traded Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in February of 2023. Utah subsequently released him, and a couple of days later, he signed with the Clippers. He began to play better and performed admirably in the 2023 playoffs when the team was missing Paul George and only had Kawhi Leonard for the first two games.
Last season, Westbrook accepted a move to the bench a few games after the team acquired James Harden. In 68 games in 2023-24, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He finished seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. He really struggled in the first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks though, shooting just 26.0% from the field in the six-game series.
Altogether in 16 NBA seasons, Westbrook owns career per-game averages of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.6 steals. Will Westbrook’s 17th NBA season be with the Nuggets?
