DENVER NUGGETS

First calls for Russell Westbrook to start in Denver have begun

Jul 19, 2024, 11:11 AM

The Denver Nuggets are expected to officially sign former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook in the coming days.

Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz on Thursday, will be bought out and clear waivers, and then land with the Nuggets. This all comes from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

And while rumors of Westbrook coming to Denver had been circulating for weeks, it rocked the basketball world once it went from a rumor to a report.

Morning talk shows around the country led with the topic, wondering how much Westbrook has left in the tank and how he’ll embrace a lesser role with the Nuggets. Westbrook is largely expected to come off the bench, and play for perhaps 15-20 minutes per game.

Not so fast says Paul Pierce, who shared an interesting reaction on “Undisputed” on Friday. He wants to see Westbrook start, pushing Jamal Murray to shooting guard. This would mean Christian Braun, who’s the favorite for the starting role but hasn’t been promised it, would come off the bench.

Take a look and listen for yourself at Pierce’s logic.

In one sense, you can see where Pierce is coming from. Murray is a lethal shooter, and if that was his main focus, it might make his already explosive offensive game even more productive.

In another sense, Murray and Nikola Jokic form one of the best pick and roll duos the NBA has ever seen. Why mess with a good thing and take the basketball out of Murray’s hands?

Plus, one of the major reasons to sign Westbrook was the Nuggets desperately need a competent backup point guard. Starting him would throw that logic out the window.

Would head coach Michael Malone consider starting Russell Westbrook in Denver? Perhaps. But based on everything we know about this team and the role he’s expected to fill, it doesn’t feel likely.

Still, Pierce won’t be the last person to call for this to happen. We should know more in September and October when preparation for the 2024-25 regular season gets rolling.

Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth prepares to speak wtih memebers of the media about the ...

Jake Shapiro

Calvin Booth and Nuggets still not certain on GM’s future

The general manager of the lone title team in Denver Nuggets history, Calvin Booth, is out of contract at season's end and there's no indication about the executive's future

5 days ago

Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at ...

Jake Shapiro

Calvin Booth has clear message about past MPJ trade rumors

The Denver Nuggets never got close to breaking up their Core Four ahead of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline, per the man in charge Calvin Booth

5 days ago

Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Washington Wizards rebounds against the Denver Nuggets during the seco...

Jake Shapiro

Report: Nuggets wanted trade for big but instead Denver’s picks got him to another team

The Nuggets lost out on bringing a solid veteran center to the Mile High City on Wednesday when the Sacramento Kings swooped to get Jonas Valanciunas

6 days ago

Kevin Demoff, KSE...

Jake Shapiro

Avs and Nuggets are finally back on TV, KSE apologizes

The bosses at KSE and other key figures announced an agreement between the sides ending a nearly six-year stalemate

7 days ago

Yves Missi #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes to the basket against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the ...

Jake Shapiro

Malone drops big hint about Nuggets NBA Trade Deadline plans

If the Denver Nuggets are not going to deal their Core Four before Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline

8 days ago

Russell Westbrook of the Denver Nuggets...

Jake Shapiro

There’s no timeline for Russell Westbrook’s return

The Denver Nuggets lost two rotation players over the weekend to injury and it could be a while before we see Russell Westbrook again

8 days ago

First calls for Russell Westbrook to start in Denver have begun