The journey of Russell Westbrook in the NBA has been a blend of highs and lows, and his recent stint with the Los Angeles Clippers is a quintessential example of this dichotomy. Westbrook's season with the Clippers was marked by significant adjustments as he navigated through the slow, mechanical playstyle that the team adopted last season. Despite the Clippers' overwhelming talent during December and January, when Kawhi Leonard's disciplined approach seemed to dominate, the absence of Westbrook on the floor made the team appear approximately seven points better per 100 possessions.
The arrival of James Harden led to Westbrook being benched, a decision that coincided with his 26% shooting from the floor during a six-game first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks, signaling a period of struggle for the star guard. With these challenges in the rearview, Westbrook has now joined the Denver Nuggets, a team contrastingly less deep than the Clippers but built around the immense talent of Nikola Jokic, universally acclaimed as the best generator of team offense in the league.
Jokic’s synergy with Jamal Murray forms the backbone of Denver's offense. This was evident in a pivotal Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the contributions from the rest of the roster amounted to only 21 points, highlighting a pressing need recognized by Coach Michael Malone for "somebody to play behind Jamal Murray." The Nuggets have struggled to find a reliable backup, as illustrated by Reggie Jackson's ineffective efforts in consecutive postseasons, resulting in his departure from the team. Westbrook's entrance into the Nuggets' lineup aims to fill this void, yet this move is not without its concerns.
The departure of significant players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson, and Justin Holiday has led the Nuggets to bring in Dario Saric and Westbrook as replacements. The expectation is that Christian Braun will step into Caldwell-Pope's role, showing promise with slightly above league-average shooting percentages, although his shot volume remains low. Additionally, Peyton Watson is anticipated to play a larger role, aligning with Calvin Booth’s sustainability plan for the team's future
However, the Nuggets will have challenges as they transition to relying more heavily on young, developing talent. Coach Malone's optimism in integrating Westbrook is noteworthy, despite the guard's known limitations in deep shooting and movement off the ball. The integration of Westbrook into the Nuggets' system is seen as a crucial experiment, one that Malone and Booth hope will bring stability and production to the team.
Doubts linger about the depth and reliability of Denver’s bench, especially considering their strategy to utilize developing talents. This shift is crucial as they aim to maintain competitive momentum in a tightly contested league. The potential solution for enhancing flexibility and veteran presence might involve a trade, leveraging Zeke Nnaji's contract and their 2031 first-round pick.
In the quest for a more resilient roster configuration, the Nuggets have to weigh all available options. Westbrook's performance and ability to mesh with the existing core will be under scrutiny as they navigate the season. The Denver front office remains hopeful that the addition of Westbrook, alongside strategic adjustments and potential trades, will propel the team towards greater achievements. The narrative of Westbrook's journey continues to evolve, with the Denver chapter holding promise amidst palpable uncertainties.