In June, Westbrook acquired a $4 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. On Thursday, the team traded him to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade. The Jazz are anticipated to negotiate a contract termination that would render him available to Denver.According to the Denver Post, the Denver Nuggets intend to hire NBA veteran Russell Westbrook as a free agent after the future Hall of Famer clears waivers.

In June, Westbrook acquired a $4 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. On Thursday, the team traded him to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade. The Jazz are anticipated to negotiate a contract termination that would render him available to Denver.

According to ESPN, the Clippers will acquire guard Kris Dunn from the Jazz in exchange for a second-round draft pick and cash.

Last season, Westbrook, who is 35 years old, primarily played off the bench, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

The Clippers, who won 51 games, were defeated by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. He started 11 regular-season games for the team.

Westbrook holds the record for the most triple-doubles in the league, with 199.

After spending the initial decade of his career in Oklahoma City, the Nuggets would be his sixth team in seven seasons.

In Denver, he would collaborate with Serbian superstar Nikola Jook, who is currently fourth on the all-time triple-doubles list with 130 and is in pursuit of Westbrook’s total.

Jook guided the Nuggets to their inaugural NBA championship in 2023; however, they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games during the second round of the postseason in May.