The Los Angeles Clippers are finally out of the Russell Westbrook business.
Los Angeles completed their sign-and-trade for Kris Dunn with the Utah Jazz earlier this afternoon. The Clippers are sending Westbrook, a second-round pick swap, and cash to the Jazz, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers and the Jazz agreed to a deal after Dunn and LA agreed to a contract on July 1 However, the teams didn’t work out the details until today.
Clippers Complete Kris Dunn Sign-and-Trade With Jazz, Former MVP To Be Waived By Utah For 2nd Time
Dunn’s deal with the Clippers is worth $17 million over the next three seasons. He will make $5.3 million this upcoming season and $5.6 million next. While the first two years are fully guaranteed, Woj said the third year is a team option at $5.9 million.
Dunn has played very well over the last two years with Utah. After averaging 13 points in 22 contests in 2022-23, the 30-year-old appeared in 66 games a season ago.
Dunn wasn’t as productive this past season, but he did a solid job running the Jazz’s second-unit offense and was very good defensively, earning praise from head coach Will Hardy. He also became a reliable shooter with the Jazz.
“Kris Dunn’s voice is more prominent now because his role is different,” Hardy said midseason. “Kris has always talked a lot. He’s always been a great presence in our locker room and a great presence at practice with our team. But now that he’s starting, his voice is heard in a different way and at different times.”
Dunn compiled 7.4 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 88 games, including 35 starts. He shot 49.7% from the field and 39.5% from the 3-point line, which is far better than his career slash line of 43.7/32.3/73.9%. He also recorded four double-doubles with the Jazz and ended a three-year stretch where he didn’t post one.
Meanwhile, Woj believes Westbrook is not long for Salt Lake City.
“Westbrook is expected to agree on a contract buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to eventually join the Denver Nuggets after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN.”
This will be the second time that Westbrook will be traded to — and then waived by — Utah in 17 months. The 2016-17 NBA MVP was dealt to the Jazz by the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves that brought D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers had been looking to move Westbrook since he opted into his $4 million option before starting free agency. They just hadn’t found the right deal, though it has long been rumored that he would ultimately find his way to Denver.
The trade of Westbrook clears up the Clippers’ roster situation a little, as they are down to 15 players on standard contracts. However, the Clippers still have a logjam in the backcourt. It is not certain that Dunn will get much playing time. Dunn will likely battle Bones Hyland and Kevin Porter Jr. to back up James Harden at point guard in training camp.
LA is over the tax line, but the Clippers are $4.6 million under the first apron. Don’t expect the Clippers to add any other player on standard deals. The Clippers still can add four players to their training camp roster and two open two-way spots. They have Kai Jones on an Exhibit 10 deal, and Jordan Miller has a two-way contract.
Grade Trade: B-
While the Jazz didn’t give up much for Dunn, Westbrook was cheaper. Westbrook may still be the better player despite being older and declining.
Utah Jazz
Utah gets cash and a future second-round draft pick to have Westbrook’s dead cap on the books. It is presumed that Westbrook’s buyout will cost the Jazz around $3.3 million, though the Clippers will likely cover most of that.
The Jazz have 15 players on standard contracts, including Darius Bazley and Kenneth Lofton Jr., who own nonguaranteed deals. They are also about $10 million beneath the NBA floor So, expect the Jazz to either make a move or two or use their available money to sign Collin Sexton or Lauri Markkanen to extensions.
Utah has two of their three 2-way spots filled with Taevion Kinsey and Jason Preston.
Grade Trade: B
Denver Nuggets
Denver has been looking for a backup point guard since trading Reggie Jackson to Charlotte. Westbrook has been at the top of the Nuggets’ wish list since Nikola Jokic said he wanted him to join the 2023 NBA champions.
When Westbrook signs his deal, which is expected to be for the veteran’s minimum, as the Nuggets are over the first apron, that is all they can offer the nine-time all-star. His signing will give the Nuggets 15 players on standard deals. They also have filled two of their three two-way spots.
Westbrook will likely see 15-to-20 minutes a game while backing up Jamal Murray and playing alongside him during stretches. Westbrook had a solid season with the Clippers last year, but his production has dropped in each of the previous two years as he has come off the bench. The 35-year-old Long Beach (Calif.) native had a chance to become a free agent this summer, but he opted into his player option.
