However, the team took a chance and inked former All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to a two-year, $6.7 million contract to see if they could find a role for the once NBA MVP. As the Nuggets head into the final part of the season post All-Star break,

Malone decided to go with Christian Braun over Russell Westbrook in the first game after the break, which made sense for a number of reasons. Braun had been playing very well for awhile before the All-Star break, and Jamal Murray had been coming into his own in the last two months as well.

Westbrook registered eight points (3-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven assists and three rebounds over 26 minutes during Thursday's 129-115 win over the Hornets. Westbrook struggled with efficiency during his return from a seven-game absence due to a left hamstring strain.