Russell shoots better, which is key with Lebron and AD on the roster. You then gain another good bench shooter in Beasley, and athleticism in Vanderbilt.
Lol I think the deal makes perfect sense for Utah. It was abundantly clear that the Jazz's spare parts had no real value around the league. The talk about each individual player being worth a first or something was ridiculous and clearly just Danny Ainge trying to drum up value. Here is the reality: Conley is a 35 year old PG on a semi-expiring. If they didn't move him this trade deadline, they would get nothing for him. Beasley has a team option that the Jazz would not have picked up, making him also an expiring. He's a "shooter" having a 54% TS season, and he makes 16M. That's not very valuable. Vando was worth 2 seconds. If the option was lose Conley/Beasley for nothing and trade Vando for a few seconds, or move all 3 for a Lakers 1st that could be in the lottery, I think it's obvious what everyone would do.
This puts / keeps the Lakers in the playoff picture for sure and IF / WHEN Davis gets hurt they have Vandy as a solid fill in so gives them insurance when that happens too. Unlike most of you I am not going to go on a complete whine fest and start wanting Cronin's head on a pike and/or run out of town. It's fine if your annoyed the Blazers did not get one of there top realistic targets and to boot he goes to the damn Lakers and i get it ticks you off but again let's see what happens between NOW and noon ish tomorrow. Then you can get the Fire Cronin rally started but til then chill the hell out please.
Btw, my prediction for tomorrow is that we trade Josh Hart for a few seconds and a disappointing young player, maybe Reddish or Okoro. If we're lucky we pry away one of New York's protected 1sts.
FWIW, Lakers fans aren’t too ecstatic about this trade. I live in SoCal and have been listening on the radio here. Fans are just glad they can get rid of Westbrook.
YeP. And just getting rid of Westbrook makes them MUCH better. They will be so glad he’s gone. I think this haul is better than Kyrie. Laker fans rejoice!
Meh, their 3pt shooting woes get the headlines and will be improved, but I still think their defense is a FAR bigger long-term issue. They aren't a contender and just spoiled one or their last two major chips to play for the near future. I'm okay with this.
