Russell Westbrook is set to make a significant change next season as he will not be wearing the No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets. This marks a notable transition for the distinguished NBA player, who has opted for the No. 4 jersey for the second time during his professional career.
Westbrook's shift to the Nuggets comes after a series of transactions that saw him traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz. Ultimately, a buyout of his contract by the Jazz granted him the freedom to sign with Denver as a free agent. This move has set the stage for a new chapter in Westbrook's illustrious career.
A New Number for a New Beginning
While Westbrook's decision to switch numbers might surprise some fans, the choice is deeply rooted in his history and personal preference. Reflecting on this, Westbrook mentioned, "Let's please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I did want to inquire about or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a 'new' number." His preference for the No. 4 jersey is not a recent development; it's a callback to his high school days when he first donned the number.
Christian Braun already holds the No. 0 jersey for the Nuggets, a number he also wore during his high school career. Westbrook elaborated on his decision to switch back to his high school number, stating, "Obviously I could have stayed with zero if I wanted to, but I just decided to [pick four]. It's kind of my first time in my career I can go back to my original number."
Westbrook’s attachment to the number remains strong, as he explained, "Four is my favorite number. It reminds me and it gives me a sense of my roots and where I started from and where I get it from." This connection to his early basketball days seems to be a grounding force as he prepares to make impactful strides with Denver.
A Journey with Many Stops
Throughout his career, Westbrook has faced several situations where the No. 4 was already claimed by other players. "When I got to Oklahoma, even at UCLA, I got there, Arron Afflalo had it at UCLA. Then I got to Oklahoma City, Nick Collison had it. Then when I got to Houston, Danuel House had it. So I didn't have an opportunity to kind of go back to my original number," he recounted.
Now with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook finds a situation that allows him to make the switch back to No. 4. Rookie Hunter Tyson, who currently holds the jersey number, has agreed to switch to No. 5, making No. 4 available for Westbrook. Tyson, drafted in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, has so far appeared in just 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging under three minutes per game. This transition not only facilitates Westbrook’s preference but also hints at a collaborative and respectful team environment.
As the Nuggets gear up for the next season, all eyes will be on Westbrook, who aims to make a significant impact in his new jersey number. His performance and influence on the court will indeed be a testament to his enduring connection to his roots and the fresh chapter he is about to embark on with the Denver team.