It’s been no secret and actually, it’s been covered extensively that Russell Westbrook has been shopped by the Los Angeles Lakers all off-season. The latest talks were with the Utah Jazz and it seemed like it would happen. Then it all fell apart Thursday when the Utah Jazz moved Bojan Bogdanovic to the Detroit Pistons. After previously being the most likely suitor for Westbrook, it’s no longer the case. So let’s look at why Russell Westbrook will remain a Laker now that Utah has dealt with Detroit instead.
The asking price was too much for Russell Westbrook
Reports have been that Utah was wanting two first-round draft picks and Russell Westbrook in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic. While the Lakers have consistently said they aren’t willing to give up any capital to get rid of Westbrook. This is why all talks with every interested team have stalled. After the Jazz and Pistons trade was finalized it looks like Westbrook will be a Laker to start the season.
The trade details and who got the better end of it
Looking into the Jazz and Pistons trade the Pistons got Bogdanovic from Utah and Pistons received Kelly Olynyk and Saban Lee. Detroit got a proven shooter in Bogdanovic and in my opinion, they got the better end of the deal. While the team who got the worst end of it wasn’t even a part of it. The Lakers will have a high-paid player who doesn’t fit the scheme or chemistry within the team at all. He had a terrible season last year and it doesn’t seem that the Lakers staff are optimistic that he will play any better this year. The Jazz didn’t get any draft picks for the trade with the Pistons. Which doesn’t make much sense after the picks were the breaking point for their trade with the Lakers.
In the meantime, the Jazz look to be in a full rebuild after sending their top players to other teams. Russell Westbrook will be on the Lakers roster unless things change quickly. The Lakers didn’t really make any big changes after a terrible season. The Pistons easily came out of this better team. We will watch closely to see how this plays out once the season starts, but as of now, that is how everything is looking.
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