Will Russell Westbrook win a championship with the Nuggets?

The Denver Nuggets were one of the top teams in the Western Conference last season. They finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 57-25 and were the second-seeded team in the conference. The Nuggets won their first championship in 2023, but fell short the following season after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. The Nuggets are still a threat and can win another championship. If that happens, veteran point guard Russell Westbrook will win his first championship.

Will Russell Westbrook win a championship with the Nuggets?

The NBA offseason was full of surprises as teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers made big moves. The Mavericks added Klay Thompson, giving the NBA Finals runner-up more offense. The Sixers brought in Paul George, who, like Joel Embiid, is trying to win his first championship. George is also a former teammate of Westbrook, as the two played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. During the offseason, some teams made big moves, some made minor adjustments, and others stayed tuned. The Nuggets took a few steps. They re-signed DeAndre Jordan and added Westbrook and Dario Saric. The Nuggets also lost some players. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with the Orlando Magic. Reggie Jackson signed with the Sixers. Justin Holiday remains a free agent.

Westbrook's trip to Denver

Westbrook was the Nuggets' biggest move this offseason after the Clippers traded him to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz waived him shortly thereafter. Westbrook found himself in a similar situation with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers traded him to the Jazz, and after reaching a buyout agreement, he joined the Clippers.

Westbrook has changed teams several times since the days of his triple-double season in Oklahoma City. He spent time with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards. His time with Houston marked the first time he reunited with James Harden. He had another triple-double season during his time with the Wizards. After spending time with both of those teams, Westbrook landed with the Lakers. He found himself in difficult situations as the Lakers are home to Anthony Davis and LeBron James. This duo already won a championship in 2020. The Clippers had an interesting combination of Kawhi Leonard, George and later Harden. Now the Clippers rely on Leonard and Harden. Westbrook came off the bench for both teams. This time he will play a similar role.

Nuggets are looking for another championship

Westbrook's time with the Nuggets was short, but his presence is felt. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised Westbrook and his leadership early in training camp.

“Russ is a game changer. You just love the energy, the voice. “You can hear Russ coming,” Malone said.

Aaron Gordon praised the Nuggets' new additions and mentioned how the team has improved as a result.

“I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. “We’ve gotten better,” Gordon said. “I hate to lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jeff Green, but I like our new additions.”

Jamal Murray talked about Westbrook as a teammate and the Nuggets' goal for the season.

“After all these years of competing against each other and checking on each other from a distance, it's cool now to be on the same team and be able to come together and have the chemistry to get there and to win a championship,” Murray said.

Westbrook has accomplished many great things in his career. Whether it's his Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2017, his nine-time All-Star honors, or his triple-double record, Westbrook has a lot of accolades. Since he's with a different contender, especially one that has won a championship more recently than, say, his former team (the Lakers), this could be the moment he's been waiting for.

The Nuggets are pursuing another championship, and Westbrook's energy and leadership on and off the court could earn him the distinction he and many of his veteran colleagues like Damian Lillard, George, Harden and others seek.