REPORT: NIKOLA JOKIC PUSHING NUGGETS FOR BIG POINT GUARD ACQUISITION
Nikola Jokic is reportedly campaigning for the Denver Nuggets to acquire a former MVP this offseason.
According to Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports, Jokic has "pushed" the Nuggets to pursue Russell Westbrook. The star center has previously wanted to play with the point guard.
Joey Linn of All Clippers added that DeAndre Jordan, who played with Westbrook on the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season, has endorsed the two-time scoring champion as an impact addition.
Westbrook exercised a $4 million player option to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers, but The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Clippers are "actively working" to trade him.
Westbrook has constantly changed scenery after spending 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's played for four different teams in the last five seasons.
The nine-time All-Star thrived off the Clippers' bench this season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He's posted a 46.4 field-goal percentage since joining the Clippers, an improvement over his 43.8 career mark.
Westbrook would likely serve a similar role for the Nuggets, who followed a championship with a second-round elimination to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A star-heavy club led by Jokic and Jamal Murray lacked consistent scoring from the second unit after losing 2023 postseason stalwart Bruce Brown.
Denver suffered another blow this free agency when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year deal with the Orlando Magic. Since they're over the cap, the Nuggets may need a veteran hungry for a ring to join on team-friendly terms.
Related: Russell Westbrook Reportedly Makes Decision On Contract With Clippers
2024-07-01T21:02:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd