Inside The Nuggets

Denver Nuggets Player Officially Changes Jersey Numbers for Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook will wear a new number with the Denver Nuggets

Joey Linn

Apr 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) against the Phoenix Suns during the first half in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center.
Apr 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) against the Phoenix Suns during the first half in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has worn No. 0 for most of his career. Wearing No. 4 with the Washington Wizards, which was his number in high school, Westbrook has been No. 0 everywhere else.

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun has worn No. 0 since he entered the NBA in 2022. The Nuggets also had a No. 4 last season, as young forward Hunter Tyson wore that number in his rookie season.

When the Nuggets announced Westbrook, the team shared that he would wear No. 4, which meant Tyson would have to choose a new number. It was officially reported on Monday that Tyson would be switching to No. 5 in his second NBA season.

It was reported by Harrison Wind of DNVR that Tyson gave up his number to Westbrook free of charge, as players will often seek compensation for giving up their number to a veteran. That said, it would not be surprising if Westbrook still gifted the young forward with something, as the former league MVP is known for taking care of his teammates off the court.

Prior to last season, which was his first full year with the LA Clippers, Westbrook gifted all of his teammates brand new iPhones.

While he likely could have sought something from Westbrook in exchange for No. 4, Tyson reportedly gave it up freely for his new teammate.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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