What will Russell Westbrook bring to the Nuggets?

Russell Westbrook’s stint with the Lakers was marred by losses and a negative narrative that took hold mere months into his tenure. After a season and a half, he was traded to the Clippers, where his minutes decreased, but his on-court struggles persisted. Now, Westbrook finds himself joining the 2022-23 champion Denver Nuggets — a move advocated by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Can Westbrook provide the Nuggets with a much-needed boost off the bench, or will his struggles persist in Denver, as they did for both L.A. teams?

During Westbrook’s first season with the Lakers, he failed at all the little things that helped to win basketball games. He ranked second in the NBA in bad pass turnovers (151), often gifting opponents easy fast-break opportunities. His crunch-time performance was particularly glaring, shooting a dismal 20 percent from three while opposing squads dared him to shoot, ultimately leading to the worst clutch point differential on the team (-33 +/-).

Westbrook’s defense was also filled with those little mistakes that kill an organization. Despite being a point guard — a position not tasked with providing high-leverage rim protection — he ended up seventh in the league in total fouls (235). His defensive lapses proved even more detrimental in clutch situations, where he led the Lakers with 29 personal fouls, significantly surpassing Anthony Davis, who finished second on the squad with 12. Westbrook’s 17th-place ranking in Defensive Rating on the Lakers in 2021-22 underscored his struggles on that end of the court.

Although there were many challenges, Westbrook’s 2021-22 season wasn’t all bad. His counting stats were a solid — 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest. His prowess on the defensive glass as one of the best rebounding point guards in league history and his top-flight athleticism propelled the Lakers to the second-most fast-break points in the NBA at 22.8 PPG. Furthermore, his often-overlooked playmaking remained elite, ranking 13th in potential assists (13.8 per game) while sharing the floor with another high-usage passer, LeBron James.

Ultimately, a combination of chemistry issues, injuries and Westbrook’s on-court struggles culminated in one of the most disappointing campaigns in Lakers history. The 2022-23 season followed a similar script until L.A.’s front office traded Westbrook, after which the Lakers surged, securing a playoff berth and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. 

Even with a reduced role on the Clippers in 2023-24 (22.5 MPG), Westbrook’s per-36 numbers remained consistent with his production during his time with the Lakers, showing that while his responsibilities changed, his style of play did not.

The Denver Nuggets’ 2023 championship run was fueled in large part by two key factors: their excellent shooting from beyond the arc and their commitment to ball control. Throughout their 20 playoff games, the Nuggets starting lineup, with Nikola Jokic manning the middle, showcased exceptional three-point touch. Jamal Murray (39.6 percent), Michael Porter Jr. (35.1 percent), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (38.0 percent) and (surprisingly) Aaron Gordon (39.1 percent) all contributed significantly from deep. Meanwhile, their 11.6 turnovers per game were the lowest out of all 16 postseason teams.

This begs the question: Why would Nikola Jokic — arguably the most intelligent player in the league, a dominant force in the paint and someone who thrives with space to operate — want Westbrook, a turnover-prone athlete with one of the worst high-volume three-point shooting percentages in NBA history?

During the Nuggets’ recent media day, Jokic emphasized Westbrook’s off-court attributes, highlighting his leadership, work ethic and positive influence in the locker room. Beyond those qualities, Jokic may see an avenue for Westbrook’s athleticism, rebounding prowess and playmaking ability to thrive in a clearly defined role as the team’s backup point guard. 

Denver’s championship culture, coupled with a reduced workload that doesn’t necessitate crunch-time minutes, could allow Westbrook to focus on his strengths, particularly pushing the pace and generating easy transition opportunities for the second unit.

The Westbrook signing is a gamble. It hinges on the hope that his strong points will overshadow his weaknesses.

Still, one can’t help but wonder that if LeBron James, a similarly cerebral player who thrives with room to operate in the half-court, couldn’t succeed alongside Westbrook, what reason is there to believe Jokic will fare any better?

Only time will tell if Denver’s Westbrook signing pays off. One thing is for sure: his tenure with the Nuggets will be fascinating to watch.