Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal 

Realistically, you’ve read countless proposals sending Westbrook, along with the first-round pick, to the Jazz. You know why they’d do this deal. 

It isn’t for Westbrook. In all likelihood, the Jazz would buy him out, or sit him for the year. Westbrook’s value as an NBA player has come into question in recent years – it’s hard to say with any confidence where his career will go from here. With that said, it’s hard to imagine any mutual interest between him and the Utah Jazz in 2022-23. 

Instead, the Jazz are all about landing the Lakers’ first-round pick. After all, this isn’t just any old first-rounder. It’s coming from a team built around a 37-year-old LeBron James and an injury-prone Anthony Davis. Nobody can say where the Lakers will be by 2027. 

Furthermore, the Jazz do well to get off their veterans anyway. After all, if any organization will be chasing losses in 2022-23, it’s Utah.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

Look for this group to tank their way through the season. That will be easier with Conley and Clarkson headed elsewhere. 

Should the Suns be flipping Crowder for the latter?