The Utah Jazz welcomed Russell Westbrook back to the team a year and a half after doing the same in February 2023. Only to, of course, waive him to pave the way for a title hopeful to swoop him up when he clears waivers.
ESPN Sources: The Los Angeles Clippers are sending guard Russell Westbrook, a second-round pick swap and cash to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade agreement for guard Kris Dunn. pic.twitter.com/48DqYlZ2eK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2024
Westbrook is expected to agree on a contract buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to eventually join the Denver Nuggets after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ld4gsMPUhl
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2024
Let's cut to the chase. Does this help the Jazz much, if at all? Nope. But during a time in which not much happens during the offseason. Plus it is amusing that the Jazz yet again got Westbrook when they have absolutely no use for them and then do a "favor" for the team who really wants him.
So how'd they do in this trade? Believe it or not, there are some other factors at play besides doing both the Clippers and Nuggets some favors.
They *technically* didn't lose Kris Dunn for nothing
Dunn was a solid story for the Jazz. His NBA career was pretty much dead when the Jazz brought him in. He worked well enough that the Jazz had no qualms making him a starter. Look where he is now? Has he lived up to the billing as the No. 5 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft? Of course, not, but he got the biggest payday of his career!
More than that, the Jazz at least got a second-round pick swap for him. The alternative was losing him for nothing, so getting something back is... something!
The Jazz made some use of their cap space
The Jazz have plenty of cap room at their disposal. Since they are not really in a position to win at the moment, it would have been no skin off their nose to use it on someone who they never really had any intention to play. Ergo, welcome back, Russ!
This could also mean other trades are coming where Jazz absorb expendable and/or overpaid players into their cap room in trades that could get them more assets in the near future. By acquiring Westbrook, the Jazz acquired $4 million of dead money, but at least there's no financial commitment long-term.
The Jazz managed to use some of available cap room to some benefit, and they maintained long-term flexibility on top of it.
Trading Dunn should give youngsters more time
With Dunn no longer in the picture, that should open up minutes for other young guards like Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier. Granted, that was a given anyway, but now that it's official, the Jazz could start throwing their youngsters to the wolves like many hoped they would.
With any luck, the Jazz could find trades for other available players like Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, thus opening up more minutes for a young backcourt that one could reasonably believe may turn into something special someday
Overall Grade: A (Strictly Speaking)
This trade means ultimately nothing in the long run, but knowing that there wasn't much involved going in, the Jazz made out well. This graded out so well primarily because of the comedy of the Jazz making the same move with the same player again not too long after it happened the first time.
This will turn into an A+ if the Jazz manage to do this again with Westbrook somehow. Or better yet, if he ironically comes to the Jazz with the intention of playing, an A++.