2. ESPN wanted Bulls to make terrible Westbrook trade
When someone starts a sentence with the words, “With all due respect…”, you know something disrespectful is about to come out of their mouth. Likewise, when someone asks the question “Who says no?”, the answer will almost always be, “Everyone but the Lakers”.
This case is no different here, as ESPN’s Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman, and former Chicago Bull himself Jay Williams advocated for the team to facilitate a heinous Russell Westbrook trade. In this deal, the Bulls would receive a maligned combo of Julius Randle and Evan Fournier. All Chicago would have to send back in return is one Zach LaVine.
This is completely hypothetical, but who says no? pic.twitter.com/vbvhZSWaDY
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) May 11, 2022
I have to start this off by saying I’m not surprised to see ESPN peddle awful trade proposals that are nothing but subservient to LA’s needs. There’s absolutely no reason for the Chicago Bulls to be making a trade like this at any point in the last five years, and certainly not immediately after LaVine enjoyed an All-Star breakout season.
What makes this package particularly insulting is the fact that it’s not even that old of a take. LaVine was established as one of the league’s best shooting guards at this point, while Westbrook, Randle, and Fournier were all coming off of significantly disappointing seasons.
This isn’t the MVP version of Westbrook we’re discussing here, or the 2021 All-NBA version of Randle, or even a version of Fournier that could score an efficient 15 points or more a night. This is the type of trade that gets general managers fired. It’s just a shame that it doesn’t have the same effect on ESPN’s ‘analysts’.
Also, big shoutout to Bobby Marks for pointing out that this trade doesn’t even abide by the NBA’s rulebook. Thanks, ESPN.