In a surprising turn of events, NBA star Russell Westbrook has been denied his request to wear his iconic No. 0 jersey for the upcoming season with the Denver Nuggets. Instead, he will don the No. 4 jersey as he begins his new journey with the team.

After signing a two-year, $6.77 million deal with the Nuggets, the 35-year-old Westbrook had hoped to continue wearing the number that had become closely associated with his remarkable career. Unfortunately for him, his desirable jersey was already claimed, leaving Westbrook disappointed.

According to reports from DNVR Sports, Westbrook personally approached Christian Braun to inquire about taking over his No. 0 jersey. However, the third-year guard declined Westbrook's request, opting to retain his number. Determined to find a solution, Westbrook enlisted the help of second-year forward Hunter Tyson, who agreed to switch from No. 4 to No. 5. Notably, Tyson graciously made the switch without charging Westbrook for the jersey swap.

Throughout his lengthy NBA journey, Westbrook has predominantly donned the No. 0 jersey, except for one season. He wore it during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008-09 until the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he sported it with the Houston Rockets in the 2019-20 campaign. Westbrook briefly switched to No. 4 during the 2020-21 season with the Washington Wizards before returning to No. 0 during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2021 to 2023. He maintained the number when he joined the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2022-23 season and continued to wear it in the 2023-24 campaign. Interestingly, Westbrook also sported No. 0 during his college days at UCLA.

While Westbrook's new No. 4 jersey may take some getting used to for fans, it's important to acknowledge Christian Braun's firm stance in retaining his number. Braun's decision demonstrates his commitment to maintaining his own identity within the team, despite the allure of Westbrook's request.

As the upcoming NBA season approaches, Westbrook and his fellow Nuggets teammates are eager to showcase their skills with the hope of achieving success on the court. The change in jersey number allows Westbrook to embark on this new chapter of his career with a fresh outlook while still honoring his remarkable journey thus far.

It remains to be seen how fans will react to seeing Westbrook in a different jersey, but one thing is certain - the dynamic point guard will undoubtedly bring his trademark intensity and determination to the court, regardless of the number on his back.