The Utah Jazz have waived Russell Westbrook as anticipated, clearing the way for his departure, which is likely to be to the Denver Nuggets

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The Utah Jazz released point guard Russell Westbrook on Saturday, opening the door for him to potentially join the Denver Nuggets.

Utah acquired Westbrook from the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday through a sign-and-trade involving Kris Dunn. The Jazz made this move knowing they would likely release Westbrook so he could sign with Denver.

The Nuggets have been looking to bolster their guard lineup after trading away Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.

Russell Westbrook (NBA)

According to ESPN, Denver is expected to be Westbrook’s next team.

In exchange for Westbrook, Utah received the rights to swap second-round draft picks in 2030, the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica, and cash considerations.

Last season, the 35-year-old Westbrook posted a career-low 11.1 points per game while primarily playing off the bench for the Clippers, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Dallas.

Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson is a rising leader in the sports industry, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of FlyQuest, a trailblazing esports organization redefining how modern sports teams connect with fans, drive impact, and build global communities. In his free time, Brian enjoys writing about sports and contributing thoughtful analysis and commentary at Sports Al Dente, where he shares insights on the evolving landscape of traditional and digital sports.