The Jazz have let go of Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook, 35, was picked up from the Clippers on Thursday and is likely heading to the Nuggets after he clears waivers on Monday. This news came straight from a press release by the team.
He was part of a sign-and-trade deal involving Kris Dunn, who quickly made an agreement with L.A. after free agency began. The Jazz got a second-round pick swap and some cash in this deal, helping the Clippers manage their finances better by moving Westbrookโs salary off their books.
This isn’t the first time Westbrook has been traded to Utah only to be released without playingโhe had a similar experience in February 2023 when he was traded from the Lakers and then bought out to join the Clippers.
Contract Details:
It’s still unclear if there was a buyout this time or if Utah will pay his entire $4M contract for next season. In Denver, he’ll make about $3.3M due to veteran’s minimum contract limits because of apron restrictions.
Fans might think it’s strange that Westbrook didn’t test free agency this summer but chose to stay in L.A., leading the Clippers to seek a trade partner immediately. The Nuggets needed a backup point guard after trading Reggie Jackson to Charlotte, making them an ideal fit for Westbrook without worrying about matching salaries in a trade.
Westbrook had adjusted well into a bench role during his first full season with the Clippers, playing 68 games and averaging 11.1 points, 5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting .454/.273/.688 over 22.5 minutes each night.
What do you think about all these trades?
