DENVER — The idea of ​​Russell Westbrook in 2024 is less enticing than ever.

The polarizing star has visited five NBA teams in the past six years, being labeled a scapegoat at almost every stop. At 35, Westbrook is a glorified basketball experiment where he ultimately sacrifices in the name of the greater good.

For three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets, Westbrook could be a boon.

Two summers ago, Jokic’s Nuggets climbed to the top of the NBA, capturing the franchise’s first-ever championship and sparking dynasty conversations in the process. The Nuggets failed to win back-to-back titles in May. Then they entered an offseason marked by turmoil at worst and stagnation at best.

The way the Nuggets see it, the now oldest player in their regular rotation could catalyze them to victory again in the simultaneous pursuit of his first-ever elusive championship ring. Westbrook could be their new Bruce Brown, the backup, ruthlessly competitive guard who brought endless intensity en route to Denver’s 2023 title.

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“This time of year, everyone will say they want to win a championship,” Westbrook said in the preseason. “But honestly, it’s not life or death. …

“As long as we as a team put our best foot forward, we can live with the results. If that’s a championship, then I’m grateful for that. If not, I am also grateful for the opportunity.”

With Westbrook around, the Nuggets’ title window could remain wide open. But not indefinitely.

“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to win another one,” Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth said. “You don’t know when this period will end, so you have to take advantage of it.”

Nikola Jokic and Westbrook prove that opposites attract

Despite their opposing playing styles, Jokic and Westbrook hope to create fireworks together.

Since his days with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook has excelled most when moving like a freight train and gaining steam on a railroad track. He personifies controlled chaos, an engine of continuous and passionate energy. And he never stops.

Jokic, on the other hand, embodies eccentric creativity. He is a cerebral conductor who keeps track of his fingertips throughout the game, pulling the strings as they arise. Compared to Westbrook, Jokic’s stoic face after a monstrous scoring move in the post or a rare turnover after a bad pass is indistinguishable.

“It’s going to be a great year to figure out ways to make the game easier for (Jokic) because he does it for everyone,” Westbrook said.

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When it comes to Jokic, Westbrook has never had such a skilled center. Jokic has never had an explosive guard who, like Westbrook, gets to the rim at will. And Jokic understands better than anyone that the Nuggets need to give Westbrook free rein to be himself.

In other words, they have to let Russ be…Russ.

“(Westbrook) has to play the way he feels comfortable,” Jokic explained early in the Nuggets’ preseason. “He has to be himself because that’s when he’s at his best, and that’s what we need.”

This is all an ideal. While they are optimistic about his eligibility, the Nuggets understand Westbrook’s history and the potential downsides of adding him to their current mix. Westbrook’s contract structure – a two-year veteran minimum deal with a player option for 2025 – suggests they have somewhat hedged their bet on him.

Still, the Nuggets won’t limit Westbrook’s identity. With his skills you will either dive headfirst into the water or not at all.

Westbrook claims head coach Michael Malone lets him use all of “his speed” instead of forcing him to be something he isn’t, like when Westbrook was allowed to run at top speed consistently during Denver’s five-game preseason. He got to the rim the way he wanted, and while it wasn’t always pretty, as he smoked a few open layups, his sometimes wild approach was accepted as he still set the table in a quality manner for the other key reserves of the Nuggets.

In this way, Westbrook presents a new reality for the Jokic-era Nuggets. They are known for playing at a slow, methodical pace and always looking for good shots no matter how long it takes. According to RealGM, Denver ranked 27th in the NBA in offensive pace last year. It’s a small sample size in the preseason, but Denver was fourth in offensive pace in October with Westbrook pushing the ball ahead.

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While this fast-paced approach hasn’t proven entirely fruitful yet and it may take some time for them to really come together, it could be a worn wrinkle that makes the Nuggets less predictable and harder to defend.

As a newcomer, it is up to Westbrook to show enough curiosity to build good chemistry with his new teammates.

At Nuggets media day, Westbrook said he would do his best to break bread with guys on the road and foster new relationships. You see it when Westbrook trades friendly comments during practice with promising third-year forward Peyton Watson, a Southern California native who grew up idolizing him. You also see it when Westbrook takes rookie point guard Trey Alexander by his side as he talks to the media to help him become a better public speaker.

It appears Westbrook is genuinely interested in working with Jokic, respecting his talent while appreciating that the Nuggets are the reigning MVP team.

“To be on the floor with (Jokic) is an honor, and I’m grateful for that,” Westbrook said. “He does so many different things on the floor that allows people to be great.”

How Russell Westbrook is Jamal Murray’s steward

The main reason Westbrook now calls Denver home is one of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets.

“My job is to push (Jamal Murray) every night to be the best he can be,” Westbrook said. “He is an incredible player and he still has so much room to improve in many areas. I am grateful that I can be here and help him on that journey.”

The Nuggets likely won’t win another title with Jokic if Murray isn’t playing at his ceiling. Without his electric 20-game run, they certainly wouldn’t have won in 2023. None of their other roster questions are as important as Murray.

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Even after a tough postseason in 2024, the Nuggets seem to believe Murray will turn the corner. If they hadn’t done that, they wouldn’t have given him $200 million.

That’s why professional Westbrook is their Murray insurance policy. Murray has already noticed Westbrook’s striking presence.

“I grew up watching (Westbrook),” Murray said. “You look at Russ and you’re like, ‘Oh, damn… that’s Russ.’ Every time he is in the gym, he lifts not only me, but everyone’s spirit and consciousness.

For some, having a chaperone would be an annoyance. They would lash out out of insecurity. But when Westbrook declares he’ll push Murray while later recreating his signature “blue arrow” celebration during a photo shoot, it’s clear he’s also there to be his confidante.

That’s why Murray doesn’t seem to be bothered by Westbrook. He understands that his presence is to his advantage.

“Russ brings his own energy whether you’re with him or not,” Murray mused. “That’s the best part… he goes, works and tries to lead by example.”

Russell Westbrook gives the Nuggets ultimate motivation

Jokic’s Nuggets have never been exuberant. The Western Conference’s winningest team of the past five years is known for carrying itself with quiet confidence.

But this kind of approach can lead to complacency. That’s where Westbrook’s persistence comes into play.

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Malone has said as much about his veteran sixth man. Every step of the way, Malone has praised Westbrook’s effect on the rest of his players before musing on the clichéd but valuable motivation of “winning for the veteran.”

“The one thing Westbrook hasn’t accomplished is winning an NBA championship,” Malone said. “That’s the only thing missing from a very impressive resume.”

Westbrook’s impact is also evident among Denver’s core players.

It starts with Murray claiming that Westbrook’s “relentless energy” inspires him. It continues with sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., who is hit by Westbrook acting like “he’s the youngest guy on the field.” It is poignant when rising bench scorer Julian Strawther insists he has been attached to Westbrook’s hip since the moment he signed with the Nuggets in the summer.

But no one summed up Westbrook’s impact on a Nuggets team chasing another title better than stalwart Aaron Gordon, Denver’s emotional backbone.

When Gordon says winning for legendary teammates like Westbrook (and Jokic) now inspires him more than anything as a basketball player, it’s safe to say the rest of the Nuggets feel the same way.

“Nikola Jokic will probably end his career as one of the greatest basketball players ever,” Gordon said. “That’s why I push myself and work relentlessly to better his time in the NBA. The same goes for Russel. He will also be a Hall of Famer. I’m doing everything I can to get him a ring.’