NBA Trade Grade: Lakers, Wolves get new PGs; Russell Westbrook is free

The Utah Jazz get their desired draft compensation

From the Utah Jazz’s perspective, this trade is more about the draft compensation. Even after their hot start to the season, it was short-sighted to believe that this team was going to be a buyer at the NBA Trade Deadline. It turns out, they weren’t. Instead, they move a few of their veteran players (Conley, Vanderbilt, and Beasley) to gain some added draft compensation.

Taking on Russell Westbrook really isn’t something that we have to go over a ton since the likelihood that he will get bought out is high. I have a hard time believing that Russ is going to finish out the season playing for the Jazz.

My gut tells me that he will be bought out and likely try to catch on with a playoff team to close out the season. This was always the natural next step for the Jazz this season and with some time left before the trade deadline, there’s a strong chance that they may not even be done making moves.

Grade: B-