Clippers-Nuggets-Jazz Play Point Guard Roulette

Keith Smith
Keith Smith, Resident NBA ExpertJuly 20, 2024
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#nba #trade #russell westbrook #kris dunn #la clippers #utah jazz #denver nuggets
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The Denver Nuggets had been on the lookout for a backup point guard all offseason. The LA Clippers and Russell Westbrook had been headed towards a breakup, meaning they needed another guard themselves. With the help of the Utah Jazz, all three teams came out ahead.

We’ll cover on Westbrook’s fit with the Nuggets at the end, but first the particulars of the trade.

LA Clippers acquire: Kris Dunn via sign-and-trade

Utah Jazz acquire: Russell Westbrook, draft rights to Balsa Koprivica, 2030 second-round pick swap, $4.3 million in cash

Let’s dive in!

LA Clippers

Incoming salary: $5.4 million in 2024-25 (estimated)

  • Kris Dunn (PG, three years, $17 million (estimated))

Outgoing salary: $4.0 million in 2024-25

  • Russell Westbrook (PG, one year, $4.0 million)

The Clippers and Westbrook were headed for a breakup just about as soon as he picked up his player option. Westbrook didn’t want to leave a couple million on the table, but also didn’t want to stay with the Clippers. LA seemed to be of the same mind, so they immediately set about finding a trade. It took a bit to land on one, but eventually they got there.

Dunn has done a wonderful job getting his NBA career on track. After looking like he was headed out of the league, Dunn became a much-improved shooter. He also because a better playmaker. And his defense is at an elite level.

For roughly the Taxpayer MLE amount, the Clippers get a solid third guard for their rotation. Dunn can also start if/when necessary. On a team where some other guards and wings are older and/or injury-prone, this is an excellent get for LA. Don’t be surprised if Dunn passes some of his more notable teammates in the rotation fairly early in the season.

Utah Jazz

Incoming salary: $4.0 million in 2024-25

  • Russell Westbrook (PG, one year, $4.0 million)

Outgoing salary: $5.4 million in 2024-25 (estimated)

  • Kris Dunn (PG, three years, $17 million (estimated))

The Jazz seemed to be moving on from Dunn this summer, one way or another. They have a lot of other guards, and added another in Isaiah Collier at the draft. So, for renting out a bit of their cap space (and no actual money paid, because the Clippers covered Westbrook’s salary by sending cash), the Jazz picked up the rights to swap 2030 second-round picks.

Utah also received the draft rights to Balsa Koprivica in this draft. The 7-foot-1 inch center has spent the last three seasons playing for Partizan in Serbia. Koprivica has done well for Partizan, but hasn’t established himself as a regular starter. Because he’s only 24 years old, Koprivica could still have a future in the NBA, but it seems unlikely.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets weren’t involved in this trade, but will still land Russell Westbrook in the end. Denver could have acquired Westbrook directly, by absorbing his salary into the trade exception they have from sending Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets. But waiting to sign Westbrook after he’s waived by Utah is the more cost-effective strategy.

By waiting, Denver will sign the Westbrook to a veteran minimum salary worth about $2.1 million. That’s roughly a $2 million savings over the $4 million that will now land on Utah’s books. For Denver, who is dealing with a luxury bill and apron issues, they actually save nearly $5 million this way. And, the Nuggets also have the Jackson TPE, should they want to use it later.

On the court, Westbrook will play a big role for the Nuggets. The point guard depth behind Jamal Murray was pretty shaky. Jackson was salary-dumped, Jalen Pickett doesn’t appear to be ready to step in and Trey Alexander is a rookie on a two-way contract. Westbrook should have a clear runway to the backup job.

In the regular season, the veteran point guard will probably play around 20-25 minutes a night. That’s fine for a team that can use some juice on their second unit. In the postseason, when Westbrook’s lack of shooting shows up in glaring ways, his role will probably be reduced to 10 minutes a night. Michael Malone should be able to spot Westbrook minutes in lineups where his lack of a reliable jumper won’t matter as much.

 


#nba #trade #russell westbrook #kris dunn #la clippers #utah jazz #denver nuggets
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