The Denver Nuggets were one of the top teams in the Western Conference last season. They finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 57-25, and they were the second seed in the conference. The Nuggets won their first championship in 2023 but came up short the following season after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. The Nuggets are still a threat and can win another championship. In the event they do, veteran point guard Russell Westbrook will get his first championship.
Will Russell Westbrook Win a Championship With the Nuggets?
The NBA offseason was full of surprises, as teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers made big moves. The Mavericks added Klay Thompson, which gives the NBA Finals runner-up more offense. The Sixers brought in Paul George, who, like Joel Embiid, is trying to win his first championship. George is also a former teammate of Westbrook, as the two of them played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers. In the offseason, some teams made big moves, some made minor adjustments, and others stood pat. The Nuggets made a few moves. They re-signed DeAndre Jordan and added Westbrook and Dario Saric. The Nuggets also lost a few players. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with the Orlando Magic. Reggie Jackson signed with the Sixers. Justin Holiday remains a free agent.
Westbrook’s Journey To Denver
Westbrook was the biggest move for the Nuggets this offseason, and it happened after the Clippers traded him to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz waived him shortly after. Westbrook was in a similar situation with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers traded him to the Jazz, and after reaching a buyout agreement, he joined the Clippers.
Westbrook has changed teams multiple times since the days of his triple-double seasons in Oklahoma City. He spent time with the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards. His time with Houston was the first time he reunited with James Harden. During his time with the Wizards, he had another triple-double season. After spending time with these two teams, Westbrook ended up with the Lakers. He has found himself in contending situations, as the Lakers are home to Anthony Davis and LeBron James. This duo won a championship back in 2020. The Clippers had an interesting combination of Kawhi Leonard, George, and, later on, Harden. Now, the Clippers are down to Leonard and Harden. Westbrook came off the bench for both teams. He will be in a similar role this time around.
Nuggets Seeking Another Championship
Westbrook’s time with the Nuggets has been brief, but his presence is felt. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised Westbrook and his leadership early in training camp.
“Russ is a game-changer. You just love the energy, the voice. You can hear Russ coming,” Malone said.
Aaron Gordon praised the Nuggets’ new additions and mentioned how the team improved as a result.
“Love them. Love ’em. Love ’em. Love ’em. We got better.” Gordon said. “I hate losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jeff Green, but I like our additions.”
Jamal Murray spoke on Westbrook being a teammate and the Nuggets’ goal for the season.
“So from all the years of competing against each other, kind of checking each other afar, and now it’s cool to be on the same team and be able to gel and have that chemistry to go there and win a championship,” Murray said.
Westbrook has accomplished many great things in his career. Whether it is his Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2017, being a nine-time All-Star, or his triple-double record, Westbrook has his share of accolades. Being with another contender, especially one that won a championship more recently than, say, his former team (the Lakers), this could be the moment he has been waiting for.
The Nuggets are going for another championship, and Westbrook’s energy and leadership on and off the court could get him the accolade he and many of his veteran peers, such as Damian Lillard, George, Harden, and others, are striving for.
