LA Clippers fans now know that Russell Westbrook will not be I’m coming back to Los Angeles for the 2024-25 NBA season. After his largely mediocre season with the Clippers, Russ opted to accept a contract offer from the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
It seems Westbrook wanted a change of scenery, and it should benefit both him and the Clippers. Fans will regret that things ended differently between the team and the Southern California native, but Russ will move on nonetheless.
As he prepares to enter the Nuggets’ rotation, Westbrook reportedly made a request that was denied. Originally wanting to wear his regular jersey number, 0, Russ will instead wear No. 4 for Denver.
How did this happen? According to DNVR Sports media personality Harrison WindWestbrook inquired about the number 0 from the number’s current owner, Christian Braun. After Braun declined Russ’ request, he instead opted to use the number 4 after Hunter Tyson agreed to give it to Westbrook for free.
It might be strange to see Russ without his signature number, but it’s not so strange considering he wore No. 4 during his breakout season with the Washington Wizards in 2020-21. In fact, that year was arguably Westbrook’s best individual season since leaving Oklahoma City.
Clippers fans who choose to continue following Russ next season will see him play in a new jersey. Maybe he can channel some of the same energy he brought to Washington four years ago and continue to make Los Angeles proud in the process.
