I don't get this from the Jazz side. Bev isn't some huge haul but THT is useless and on a 2 year deal.
I'm with you guys -- I have no idea why the Jazz made this trade. No picks. They gave up a good veteran here that, granted, they don't plan to use, but they took back THT and his awful contract. They essentially CREATED 2023 cap space for the Lakers. Very sneaky move by the Lakers. They both created future cap flexibility and got a veteran who fits their core.
Jazz had no use for Bev and he didn’t want to be there anyways. They did him a solid but I don’t think taking back THT is as bad as some of you guys make it. He’s not 22 yet and showed some flashes and he’ll get plenty of run on a terrible Jazz squad. THT contract being a year longer really makes no difference to the Jazz. They’re going nowhere fast. Bev is making $13 M this year he would’ve been more useless on the Jazz who are clearly looking to rebuild. Asking for a pick (wouldn’t have been good anyways if they even got an offer) along with taking back a contract (albeit bad) to match was prob a tough find. Besides I won’t question Ainge especially after the Celtics run last year and how he took the Wolves to the back of the woodshed.
i guess i'll have to watch a rockets lakers game this year. this is going to be pure entertainment watching them play on the same team. i would love to see them get into a fight on the court and lebron having to try and break it up, lol. i hope beverley chastises russ for playing no D.
On top of that, they showed Westbrook how much they want him to stay. Really trying to make him happy.
If there was ever a "Hard Knocks"-style show for the NBA, it needs to be this upcoming season's Lakers with the camera solely focused on filming Westbrook and Beverley. That would be pure entertainment.
The Lakers may be better, but the Elephant (Russ) is still in the room. I am not ready to forecast the Lakers season until that is resolved.
