FILE – Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook advances down the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Los Angeles on April 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz on Thursday in a sign-and-trade NBA deal for point guard Kris Dunn.
According to ESPN, the Jazz are expected to buy out the former NBA MVP's contract so Westbrook can sign with the Denver Nuggets.
Utah also received the right to swap second-round draft picks in 2030, as well as the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica and cash.
Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 MVP for Oklahoma City, was traded for the fifth time in his career. Both franchises in Los Angeles and Utah have traded him in the past 18 months.
READ: NBA: Westbrook reaches 25,000 career points in Clippers' win
Westbrook, 35, has reportedly opted to play out the final year of his contract with the Clippers, who were supposed to pay him a little more than $4 million. The point guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game last season coming off the bench for the Clippers, who were eliminated by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Kawhi Leonard was injured.
“Russ is an all-time great player and we are fortunate to have him here,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “He adds to the energy and intensity of the group. We look forward to watching him continue his great career.”
If Westbrook clears waivers, ESPN says he plans to join the Nuggets, who need guard depth after parting ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.
READ: NBA: Clippers to sign Russell Westbrook after Jazz buyout
The deal ends Westbrook's two attempts to win a championship in his hometown. He was a disappointment in his first 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers before he was acquired by the Lakers in August 2021 to become the third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis on a team with title aspirations.
Instead, Westbrook averaged just 17.4 points per game for the Lakers, struggling with his usual effectiveness while struggling to play alongside LeBron and Davis. The Lakers traded Westbrook to Utah in February 2023, and he signed with the Clippers after the Jazz bought out his contract.
Westbrook improved his shooting percentages with the Clippers but never returned to the heights of his high-scoring, ball-dominating peak on another team with veteran stars. His role was diminished in the second half of last season, with him mostly coming off the bench.
Los Angeles also lost Paul George to Philadelphia in free agency this month, but will return Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Terance Mann along with Leonard and James Harden.
The Clippers will be the sixth NBA team in nine seasons for Dunn, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Dunn averaged 5.4 points and 3.8 assists per game for the Jazz last season while starting 32 of his 66 games.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“Chris is a tireless point-of-attack defender, a connector on the offensive end and a terrific teammate,” Frank said. “He will help improve our defense and balance our backcourt.”
