The Los Angeles Clippers will likely part ways with a Hall of Fame point guard on their roster.
Russell Westbrook recently exercised his $4 million player option for the 2024-25 season with the Clippers, but the team is now exploring a trade for the 35-year-old.
The Denver Nuggets have expressed a desire to pursue Westbrook, with the nine-time NBA All-Star reciprocating the interest.
The 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player opted in with his Clippers deal, even though he was aware of the possibility of a trade.
The Nuggets are fresh off losing guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, an essential member of their recent postseason success, to the Orlando Magic after he signed a three-year deal worth $66 million.
Westbrook-KCP situation mirrors the Lakers three years ago
A former championship team pursuing Westbrook and losing Caldwell-Pope after failing to defend their title is not new.
The Los Angeles Lakers did something similar in the summer of 2021 after failing to defend their 2020 championship. They initiated a trade for Westbrook and gave up Caldwell-Pope to the Washington Wizards in the process.
Another similar situation that could repeat was when the Clippers traded point guard Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets to offload his salary to make space for Westbrook when they acquired him in February 2023.
Jackson soon reached a buyout agreement with the Hornets and signed with the Nuggets for the rest of the season. He was part of their 2023 championship roster.
The Nuggets recently traded Jackson to the Hornets to make room in their salary cap last June 27.
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