Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing Vanderbilt hurts. At 23, he’s still young enough to be part of this Jazz rebuild.
At the same time, he may also be too good to help them with their current organizational goals. The Jazz are 4-1 at the moment, but most had them tanking the 2022-23 season. The play of Vanderbilt and others is not making that any easier.
If the Jazz’s early success felt sustainable, that wouldn’t be a problem. It doesn’t. Yes, the Jazz have some solid talent, but there isn’t enough star power here to assume they can remain one of the best teams in the NBA.
In all likelihood, they should still be operating as a rebuilder.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & Utah Jazz Updates
This deal has them doing exactly that. Moreover, they’re getting extremely valuable assets in these Lakers picks. In all likelihood, they’ll either buy Westbrook out or just sit him for the year.
After all, for a team in their position, playing him would verge on insanity.
