Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Mike Conley, F Bojan Bogdanovic, G Jordan Clarkson
You knew this was coming. We figured it was best to just get it out of the way first.
The benefits for each team here are obvious. As mentioned, the Jazz have just launched a major rebuilding project. With Gobert and Mitchell elsewhere, this team has no incentive to hang onto any of their veterans. Moving them for first-round picks, if possible, is the right decision.
As it happens, these picks are particularly valuable. After all, it is not difficult to envision a scenario where the Los Angeles Lakers are in the lottery by 2027, let alone 2029. This team is entirely focused on the present.
As long as that’s true, they might as well throw caution to the wind and move these picks. The Lakers have a 37-year-old LeBron James.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
As long as he’s still producing at a prime level, that gives them a shot at the NBA title. Here, the Los Angeles Lakers flip a poor-fitting Westbrook for three players who stand to complement James perfectly well.
If the Jazz are lucky, they’ll use these picks to put themselves in a similar position in due time.
