Russell Westbrook traded to Utah Jazz and heading to Nuggets

The Los Angeles Clippers have finalized a deal to send guard Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz as part of a sign-and-trade agreement involving guard Kris Dunn. In addition to Westbrook, the Clippers are sending a second-round pick swap and cash to Utah. The news of the deal was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Once Russell Westbrook clears waivers, the expectation is that’ll join the Denver Nuggets as a free agent and bring them another veteran to bolster the team’s bench and be available as a spot-starter. pic.twitter.com/hgFNi4rVWz

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2024

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Wojnarowski also reported that Westbrook and the Jazz are expected to agree on a contract buyout, which would clear the path for Westbrook to join the Denver Nuggets after he clears waivers.

The Clippers have been actively seeking to trade Westbrook ever since he opted into his $4 million player option this offseason. Although there were rumors of a potential trade to the Nuggets, a direct deal could not be finalized between the two sides.

Instead, the Clippers will part with a second-round pick swap and cash to offload Westbrook’s salary to Utah. The Jazz are expected to waive Westbrook, enabling him to join Denver. The Clippers initially agreed to a free-agent deal with Dunn on July 1, but the arrangement was not formalized until now with the sign-and-trade.

According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Dunn has agreed to a three-year, $17 million contract with Los Angeles.