It didn't require much explanation why the Utah Jazz were willing to bail the Lakers out by acquiring Russell Westbrook. Getting a first-round pick from the Lakers, knowing the clock is ticking on LeBron James, was a genius move even if it meant giving up the likes of Mike Conley among others. 2027 will loom large for the Jazz.
Why bring that up? Because Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus proposed a trade that would allow the Jazz to do it again.
In an August 8 story, Pincus proposed a three-way trade between the Jazz, Lakers, and Hornets in which the following would be exchanged.
Hornets get:
-D'Angelo Russell (from Lakers)
-Jalen Hood-Schifino (from Lakers)
-Cam Reddish (from Lakers)
-Christian Wood (from Lakers)
-Second-highest 2025 first-rounder from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Jazz (via Utah)
-$1.1 million trade exception (Richards)
Lakers get:
-Tre Mann (from Hornets)
-Nick Richards (from Hornets)
-$13.8 million trade exception (Russell)
-$3.0 million trade exception (Christian Wood)
Jazz get:
-Vasilije Micić,
-2031 protected first-rounder (via Lakers)
Pincus explains why Jazz make the trade
Pincus started by briefly explaining what Micic's appeal would be to the Jazz.
"Adding a veteran like Micić could temporarily fill a need in Utah (even if he only has one year of NBA experience). The Serbian point guard almost helped his country upset Team USA on Thursday in Paris."
After admitting that Micic has very little to do with why the Jazz would pull the trigger, he then explained why they would be willing to part with one of their 2025 assets in a deal like this.
"Assuming Utah finishes with a top-10 selection (otherwise, it'll go to the Oklahoma City Thunder), it will have three firsts in 2025. It's difficult for any team to develop that many young players at once, including recently drafted players like Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams, Brice Sensabaugh, and Isaiah Collier.
"Instead, Utah gives up the middle pick—which doesn't project to be in the lottery, given the recent success of the Timberwolves and Cavaliers. In return, the Jazz get to speculate a bit with the Lakers' first in 2031, long after James and Davis are expected to be with L.A.
"It's a minor deal for the Jazz but an opportunistic one, taking advantage of the Lakers' current roster immobility."
Why this is a genius trade for the Jazz
The Jazz have Lauri Markkanen locked up for the foreseeable future, which has many scratching their heads, seeing how Markkanen is a win-now player on a team designed to win later.
That is a valid point of view. While many believe that tanking is the right way to go, what if the Jazz had a team tank for them like the Lakers potentially will in the late-2020s and early-2030s? That is what Danny Ainge basically did with the Celtics when they traded with the Nets in 2013.
They didn't have to waste their seasons because the Nets were going to fork over a golden asset nonetheless, and look where it got them! Ainge has proven that he can draft when given the opportunity to draft high.
Do the Jazz really want to take that chance knowing that the Cavaliers and Timberwolves have every intention of trying to be good when the 2024-25 season starts? The Lakers are one of the most disastrous franchises who know that LeBron's retirement is coming not too long from now.
The Jazz have already capitalized on what could be an abysmal future. There'd be no reason to pass up on the chance to do it again.
Grade A+
If this ever gets offered to the Jazz, they should take it immediately.