Apr 4, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) and forward Peyton Watson (8) react after a basket in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets NBA Champion Sends Message to Russell Westbrook

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Joey Linn | Last updated Jul 26, 2024 4:54 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets have officially signed 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to a two-year contract with a player option for the 2025-26 season. Westbrook joins the 2023 NBA champions for what should be a very prominent role in their rotation.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic was integral in his team landing Westbrook, as the superstar center believes it will be a great fit in Denver. Westbrook also has a relationship with Nuggets veteran DeAndre Jordan who helped lead Denver's pursuit of the nine-time All-Star.

One way Westbrook projects to help the Nuggets is with their young players, including former UCLA forward Peyton Watson who sent a message to Westbrook on X:

let’s get it big brudda! welcome pic.twitter.com/SFISHz35HF
— Peyton Watson (@peytonwatson_) July 26, 2024

The pairing of Westbrook and Watson in different lineups has the potential to be incredible defensively, as the two former Bruins were among the league's best last season in defensive field goal percentage. Per the NBA's data, among all players who defended at least 450 shots last season, Watson ranked second in the league in defensive field goal percentage (42.4%), while Westbrook ranked 14th (43.6%).

Sending a message back to Watson on Instagram, Westbrook shared the following post:

Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson, both Southern California natives, have a friendship that dates back to Watson’s high school days. When Watson committed to UCLA, Westbrook took him under his wing. Watson considers him a mentor. They’re both Jordan Brand athletes. pic.twitter.com/tjCrFn6xIn
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) July 26, 2024

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon also ranked 10th in DFG% last season, holding his opponents to just 43.3% from the field. With several of the league's top ranking on-ball defenders, the Nuggets should have the ability to really give teams trouble on that end next season.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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