Denver Nuggets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Los Angeles Clippers are working with guard Russell Westbrook on a trade. The 35-year-old picked up his $4 million player option on Saturday. However, it appears he's already played his final game for the franchise. Westbrook averaged 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals during the 2023-24 campaign. Although his best days are behind him, it's reasonable to believe his production will improve if given a chance to return to the starting lineup for whatever team he lands on next.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook exercised his $4 million player option with the team on Saturday. The 35-year-old has been one of the most productive players in the history of the National Basketball Association. However, he is coming off arguably the worst year of his career, finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. Westbrook likely will remain a bench option in 2024-25. Still, his fantasy outlook could improve if the Clippers can't bring back Paul George, who isn't a lock to remain in Los Angeles moving ahead.

The Denver Nuggets have declined the team option of forward Vlatko Cancar (knee). The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL last summer and underwent surgery. As a result, he wasn't available for the Nuggets in 2023-24. Cancar has averaged only 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds during his career but was in line for an increased role ahead of last season. With that said, Denver may offer him a new minimum contract, so there's a good chance Cancar remains with the Nuggets. However, he won't see much fantasy interest unless he gets routine minutes, regardless of the team he's on.

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was limited to only four points on 2-for-5 shooting in Sunday's Game 7 defeat to Minnesota. Gordon was a big factor in the series but couldn't get anything going on Sunday, even settling for only four rebounds after racking up 18 boards across the previous two games. In 42 minutes on the court, Gordon also recorded two assists and one block. Gordon's offensive numbers dropped in 2023-24, but he remains a valuable piece of the Nuggets' core and should be a solid fantasy contributor in multiple categories again next season.

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray had a game-high 35 points on Sunday against Minnesota as the team's title defense ended with a 98-90 Game 7 loss. Following his disappointing effort in Game 6, Murray appeared determined to carry his squad to the Western Conference Finals, posting 24 points in the first half. But the Timberwolves tightened up the defense in the second half and produced a historic comeback in the contest. Murray's final stat line of the season included three rebounds and three assists. 2023-24 was a good year for Murray, as the Canadian star set new career highs with 6.5 assists and 42.5 percent three-point shooting while averaging 21.2 points. However, he again missed a large chunk of the campaign with health issues, playing in only 59 regular-season contests. Murray's injury history is definitely something fantasy managers need to consider while planning for 2024-25.