While the Los Angeles Lakers struggled in the first half of the season while keeping Russell Westbrook on their roster, the cost of trading him for players who could help them this season decreased dramatically closer to the trade deadline.
Sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo that during the preseason both the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers indicated it would take two future first round picks for them to take on Westbrook and his $46.2 million salary.
As the trade deadline approached, the Jazz informed the Lakers they were willing to accept just one first round pick for Westbrook while also including Jarred Vanderbilt.
The Lakers were able to acquire Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley for Westbrook and a protected future first round pick. Westbrook was eventually bought out and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
