Russell Westbrook's Final Evolution Can Happen Alongside Nikola Jokić

DENVER -- Russell Westbrook turns 36 in November. He's already tipped off 16 NBA campaigns. On Thursday, he sat in front of media on the Denver Nuggets' practice court atop Ball Arena and spoke in a different tone than fans who've only seen his more memeable quotes probably expected.

For most of the last decade and a half, the nine-time All-Star has been on the game's highest-volume scorers and playmakers. He's often been a little spicy with reporters. But in his public introduction as a Nugget, he was deferential, almost overly so.

All three of head coach Michael Malone, general manager Calvin Booth and Russ himself were asked what his on-court role might look like alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and all three talked more about intangible impact.

"Russ was in the gym, and there was just a different energy," Malone said. "Can't really explain it, but I love that he's here."

Booth said: "I think he's gonna push a lot of guys around here."

And Westbrook, when asked directly what he'll do on the court and during games, talked more about leadership than anything else.

"Just compete, play hard," he said when asked about what kind of role he envisions for himself. "Lead. Leadership is probably the one I really enjoy doing most, on and off the floor. Leadership is something that can transcend... On the floor, that's something I will lean into more."

The natural question that follows is: What does that mean for a team that includes Jokić (who Westbrook described as the "best player in the world.")?

The Nuggets center has won three of the last four league MVPs. Last season, by a pretty wide margin, he led the NBA in touches per game. The 2017-18 campaign was the last time the Serb wasn't first on that list. And in that season, it was Westbrook atop the leaderboard.

So how does a team that is so clearly led by one player, at least on the floor, incorporate one who's spent most of his career doing the same for Nuggets opponents?

The first, and probably most obvious answer, is that Westbrook and Jokić will both play plenty of minutes with the other on the bench.

No one explicitly said it, but Westbrook is likely coming into this season as a backup point guard. And Malone only mentioning Christian Braun and Julian Strawther as potential fifth starters mostly confirmed that.

Had this been Westbrook's first run in that role, it might be a little more concerning. He has the fourth-highest career usage percentage in NBA history. He's 32nd of all time in career games started.

But he already experienced the rough part of a transition to a reserve role over his last two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. There was some initial discomfort, especially when he was moved to the bench by the Lakers in 2022-23, but he seems to know he's now in a different chapter in his career.

Of course, that doesn't mean he and Jokić will never play together. Despite the amount of time both have spent with the ball in their hands, lineups with that duo are inevitable.

And Westbrook noted a previous relationship with the big man and an opportunity to play with him as reasons he signed with Denver.

"He does so many things on the floor that allow other people to be great," Westbrook said. "Us having [a relationship] allows us to mesh immediately."

That may mean more catch-and-shoot opportunities for Westbrook. Given his career 30.4 three-point percentage, that's maybe a little daunting, but Booth talked about his shot looking sharper than expected (offseason, empty gym caveats apply, but still). It probably means more attacking closeouts or rotating defenses than point-of-attack work than Russ is used to.

But again, the UCLA product has already been through the experience of adapting to a smaller role, and he appears eager to lead more than score.

That doesn't mean his game will conform entirely to Jokić, though.

Malone and reserve forward Vlatko Čančar talked about Westbrook potentially increasing the team's pace. The Nuggets were 26th in possessions per game last season. Westbrook himself talked about that, getting to the paint and putting pressure on the rim as traits that he could bring. And he apparently already is.

"He acts like the youngest guy on the court, with his energy and enthusiasm," Michael Porter Jr. said of recent pickup runs with Westbrook.

A lot of that, though perhaps to a lesser degree, was provided by Bruce Brown during the championship-winning 2022-23 campaign. General intensity, too. And throughout 2023-24, though it's difficult to measure, it seemed like the Nuggets were never really able to replace that. Perhaps Westbrook can.

Points, rebounds and assists are important. Westbrook has piled up plenty in his career, and he's the all-time leader in triple-doubles. But competitiveness, leadership and just good old-fashioned fight are critical.

"My job is to be able to push Jamal [Murray] to be the best he can be," Westbrook said. "Play at the highest level he can. He's an unbelievable player and still has room to grow."

Westbrook's less tangible abilities can do that for everyone on the roster, but he'll obviously play too.

In recent years, much has been made of his shot selection, how often he handles the ball and occasional lapses on defense. Nobody's bad habits disappear overnight. And Westbrook won't be perfect in his new, supporting role alongside Jokić and Murray.

But he's expressing the right perspective on his next challenge.

"Whatever my role is, whatever is needed to win games, that's what I'll do."