Nuggets numbers: Westbrook wears 4 in Denver; Gordon switches to 32 in honor of brother

Normally, it’s not interesting or headline-grabbing when players change numbers, unless Kobe Bryant or LeBron James is the one making the change. But this season in Denver, things are a little different.

Russell Westbrook, who wore “0” in every year of his professional career except one, is switching to “4.” It’s the same number he wore in high school and during his one season with the Washington Wizards. At the time, he called it a new beginning.

Christan Braun currently wears 0 for the Nuggets and there was a report — and it got some traction — that Westbrook approached Braun about swapping numbers and was shot down by the third-year winger. However, Westbrook said in an Instagram story on Tuesday that wasn’t true:

“Let’s please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing on the number 0. I didn’t want, ask for or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a ‘new’ number. The excitement of the new season has already begun and unfortunately I know that means a lot of false stories are being fired. Not today! CB and I are locked in and ready to shake things up in the Mile High City!”

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will also switch from number 50, which he has worn since arriving in Denver, to number 32.

It’s a tribute to Gordon’s older brother, Drew, who died in a car accident in May. Drew wore No. 32 while playing for New Mexico and during his overseas career. Aaron wanted to honor Drew with the number change.