Westbrook signs 2-year, USD6.8-million deal with Nuggets
Russel Westbrook signs a two-year, USD6.8 million deal with the Denver Nuggets after he cleared waivers, his agent said.
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WESTBROOK SIGNS TWO YEARS, USD6.8 MILLION WITH NUGGETS AFTER CLIPPERS-JAZZ TRADE
Furthermore, Westbrook signed a two-year, USD6.8 million deal with the Nuggets after a Los Angeles Clippers-Utah Jazz was completed.
Westbrook was initially traded by the Clippers to the Jazz, who gave up point guard Kriss Dunn and a future second-round draft pick.
Moreover, the Jazz reached a contract buyout with Westbrook.
He will be playing for his sixth team in his last seven seasons.
The 35-year-old guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.5 minutes in a reserve role for the Clippers last season.
He chose to come off the bench after being the starting point guard early into last season.
Westbrook decided to try a bench role after the Clippers traded for James Harden.
NUGGETS BELIEVE WESTBROOK CAN THRIVE WITH SECOND UNIT ROLE
Moreover, the Nuggets believe Westbrook can thrive in a second-unit role and team up with three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic and playmaker Jamal Murray.
The need to land Westbrook became imminent after Denver lost starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and reserve Reggie Jackson to free agency.
Caldwell-Pope went to the Orlando Magic, while Jackson was taken by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Furthermore, Westbrook may have to settle as a reserve.
Third-season guard Christian Braun looms as Caldwell-Pope’s replacement in the starting lineup.
“(Caldwell-Pope) is a championship player. We hated to lose him,” Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth said.
“And we’ve had guys going through deep personal adversity,” he added.
NUGGETS NEED MORE VOLUME 3S MORE YOUNG GUARDS WITH CALDWELL POPE GONE: BOOTH
Meanwhile, the Nuggets will need more volume three-point shooting from their young guards with Caldwell-Pope gone, says Booth.
Braun shot 37% of his career threes, but only 3.3 attempts per 36 minutes.
His numbers are two below Caldwell-Pope’s typical attempt rate.
Furthermore, Peyton Watson and second-year player Julian Strawther may compete against Braun for minutes in Caldwell-Pope’s position.
However, Watson shot only 30% on threes last season, while Strawther hit 30% as a rookie last season.
Moreover, Booth has faith that Braun, under the guidance of coach Michael Malone, can be a “Danny Green-like two-way player.”
“Three-point shooting is not going to hinder him (Braun),” the Nuggets executive said.
Booth hopes Westbrook can chip in his share as the Nuggets seek to return to contend for an NBA championship next season.
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