FILE – Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook moves up the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, April 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
DENVER — Russell Westbrook has agreed to a two-year contract with the Denver Nuggets, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.
The deal provides Denver with a much-needed backup point guard for oft-injured star Jamal Murray and gives the 35-year-old veteran and nine-time All-Star a chance to play with a championship contender that is one year removed from its first NBA title.
Westbrook, 35, will make the minimum salary of $3,303,711 next season with a minimum-salary player option in 2025-26 worth $3,468,960, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the deal that brings a former MVP to a team that lacked depth in the playoffs this summer.
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Nikola Jokic endorsed the pursuit of Westbrook after the Nuggets were eliminated by Minnesota in the second round of the playoffs when their lack of depth wore them down during a seven-game series with the jumbo-sized Timberwolves and their deep rotation.
Westbrook averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game while mostly coming off the bench last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, who were bounced by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.
Westbrook also averaged 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in a career-low 22.5 minutes per game last season.
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The Utah Jazz acquired Westbrook from the Clippers last week in a sign-and-trade deal for point guard Kris Dunn. The Jazz made the move with the anticipation they would buy out Westbrook’s contract so he could sign with the Nuggets, and they waived him on Saturday.
The Nuggets were in dire need of guard depth after parting with veterans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson this offseason.