LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz on Thursday in a sign-and-trade deal for point guard Kris Dunn.
The Jazz are expected to buy out the former NBA MVP's contract so Westbrook can sign with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN.
Utah also got the right to swap second-round draft picks in 2030, 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. He has now been traded to Utah by both franchises in his native Los Angeles in the past 18 months.
The 35-year-old Westbrook has reportedly opted into the final year of his contract with the Clippers, who were to pay him just over $4 million. The point guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game while mostly coming off the bench last season for the Clippers, who were bounced by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Kawhi Leonard was injured.
''Russ is an all-time great, and we were fortunate to have him here,'' Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. ''He lifted the energy and intensity of the group. We look forward to seeing him continue his decorated career.''
If Westbrook clears waivers, ESPN says he plans to join the Nuggets, who are in need of guard depth after parting with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.
The deal brings an end to Westbrook's two attempts to win a championship in his hometown. He first had a wildly disappointing 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers, who acquired him in August 2021 to be the third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis on a team with title aspirations.
