July 3rd 2024.
There's been a lot of buzz around the potential acquisition of a new bench player for the Clippers, and this one is definitely making headlines. According to a trusted source, the team is currently looking for trade partners for none other than future Hall of Famer and former league MVP, Russell Westbrook. And it seems like the Nuggets might be interested in making a move, too.
Westbrook, who is 35 years old, has an impressive track record with nine All-NBA and All-Star team selections. However, it's been a while since his last appearance on these prestigious lists, dating back to the 2019-20 season. So, the question remains - should the Nuggets take a chance on the all-time triple-double leader? As the free agency period drags on and the Nuggets remain inactive, let's take a look at some pros and cons of adding Westbrook to the team.
On the plus side, Westbrook brings a wealth of experience and a proven pedigree to the table. While the Nuggets have a reputation for building their roster through the draft, their bench has been looking a little too young lately. With the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, it's likely that Christian Braun will move into the starting lineup, leaving the remaining non-starters with a combined total of only 4,788 minutes of NBA experience. And half of those minutes can be attributed to Zeke Nnaji, who was in and out of the rotation last season. Even if we include Nnaji in a projected second unit and leave out rookie DaRon Holmes II, the remaining players would still be one of the most inexperienced benches in the league. Westbrook, on the other hand, has played over six times the regular-season minutes of these five players combined, and 20 times their combined playoff minutes. His vast experience would undoubtedly be an asset to the team, especially for the younger players who grew up watching him play.
On the other hand, Westbrook's performance in the playoffs has been less than stellar in recent years. His most recent playoff series against the Mavericks in 2024 was a disappointment, with a 19% shooting percentage in the last five games and a 5-for-8 performance in Game 1. Of course, ideally, the Nuggets won't have to rely heavily on him in a playoff setting, especially with the return of Jamal Murray. However, injuries have been a concern for Murray in the past, and he even admitted to playing through physical limitations during the Nuggets' championship run in 2024. If Westbrook is needed to play a bigger role in the postseason, there may be doubts about whether he can deliver at this stage in his career. But there's no doubt that he would be hungry to succeed and finally win a championship in Denver, as he is one of only eight MVPs in league history without a ring and hasn't been to the NBA Finals since 2012.
One thing that Westbrook undeniably brings to the table is his skillset, which fills a need for the Nuggets. They've been lacking a guard who can apply pressure at the rim on their own, and Westbrook is a rare example of a backup point guard who has proven he can do just that at an All-Star level. He would be a perfect fit for the team's second unit, which has struggled to score in recent years. And with his experience and skill, it's not hard to imagine him forming a strong partnership with fellow triple-double master, Nikola Jokic, during their shared minutes on the court.
However, there are some concerns about Westbrook's 3-point shooting. While the Nuggets are not a team that heavily relies on the 3-pointer, it's always helpful to have players who can consistently knock down those shots. Westbrook has a career shooting percentage of 30.4% from beyond the arc, and last season he only managed a 27.3% clip. He hasn't shot above 32% since his MVP season. This could potentially create spacing issues for the team, as we saw with Michael Malone's reluctance to play Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson together in the playoffs due to their lack of 3-point shooting. Would a similar concern arise with Westbrook on the court alongside another non-shooter against a good defensive team?
Another factor to consider is the affordability of acquiring Westbrook. He recently picked up a $4 million player option before the trade rumors began, making him an affordable option for the Nuggets. They could use their taxpayer mid-level exception to acquire him in a trade without giving up any young players, or they could sign him using the TPMLE if the Clippers choose to waive him. Alternatively, a third team could be involved in the trade to send a player back to Los Angeles. With a somewhat tight budget for free agency, Westbrook would be the most accomplished player available within the Nuggets' financial constraints. He would be a risk, but not an expensive one.
However, there is a recent precedent that could be cause for concern. Just last year, the Lakers, who had won the 2020 championship, traded Caldwell-Pope and other guards to bring in Westbrook in an attempt to maintain their success. However, they ended up with a disappointing record of 33-49 the following season. Now, the Nuggets are in a similar situation, one year removed from their own championship win and coming off a second-round playoff loss. They had the option to re-sign Caldwell-Pope but chose not to, instead opting to potentially bring in Westbrook as a replacement strategy. Will history repeat itself?
There's no denying that Westbrook would bring a lot to the table for the Nuggets - experience, skill, and affordability. But there are also some valid concerns about his playoff performance, 3-point shooting, and recent precedent. Ultimately, it will be up to the Nuggets' front office to weigh these pros and cons and decide if Westbrook is the right fit for the team. But one thing is for sure - if he does end up in Denver, he will be welcomed with open arms by fans who are eager to see him finally lift that elusive championship trophy.
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