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SALT LAKE CITY — Russell Westbrook is coming to Utah.
But, once again, he won't be suiting up for the Jazz.
The Jazz have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Clippers that will send point guard Kris Dunn to LA in exchange for Westbrook, the draft rights to Balša Koprivica (57th overall pick in 2021 NBA Draft), a second-round draft pick swap and cash.
The Jazz will buy out the remainder of Westbrook's contract, clearing the way for the former MVP to sign with the Denver Nuggets.
Dunn was a free agent this offseason and had previously agreed to a deal with the Clippers. By turning the deal into a sign and trade, the Clippers can give Dunn a 3-year, $17-million contract without using a salary cap exception. The Jazz will get a second-round swap essentially for free by facilitating the deal.
The cash coming from the Clippers in the deal will cover Westbrook's buyout.
Westbrook's $3.8 million salary will count against Utah's salary cap next season, but with Utah well under the cap it won't have much impact on the team. Utah isn't expected to use significant cap space this offseason unless it's to negotiate and extend Lauri Markkanen.
The deal closes the book on Dunn's time with the Jazz. The former lottery pick resurrected his career in Utah, showcasing an improved offensive game to go with his already elite defense; however, at 30 years old, his age didn't match Utah's rebuilding timeline.
If a Westbrook deal feels familiar, well, that's because the same thing happened about 18 months ago.
Westbrook was a member of the Jazz for 12 days in February 2023 after being sent to Utah as part of a massive three-team trade that sent Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to the LA Lakers. Utah also got a top-four protected 2027 first-round pick from the Lakers in the trade.
The Jazz and Westbrook eventually agreed to a buyout, freeing him to be a free agent. The future Hall of Famer said last year that he "absolutely" gave serious consideration to remaining with the Jazz.
"I would have come in and did whatever they asked me to do," Westbrook told the Los Angeles Times. "I told them I could be a mentor. Whatever I needed to do to help, I would have done it. Like always, I do whatever is best for the team. If that's to come and sit my ass there in street clothes and make sure I help the young guys, I'll do that."
Westbrook said that he was grateful to Utah for facilitating the trade from the Lakers and giving him a chance to sign with the Clippers.
Now, the Jazz are providing him another chance to play for a contender.
