Trade Dispute: Westbrook for Jamaal Charles

Q: 12 team league. Team A (2-6) two games behind 6th spot. Team B (3-5) one game behind 6th spot. Before the start of week 9, Team A traded Westbrook to Team B for Jamaal Charles. Team A also have Addai, D. Brown & K. Smith. Team B also have Turner, P. Thomas, M. Bell & C Taylor. Is this a one-sided trade?

A: Since your dispute was submitted prior to this weekend’s action, we’ll try to evaluate the trade without considerations to Westbrook’s concussion or Charles’ solid stats.

This decision depends on one fact – whether the trade was initiated before or after LJ’s release by the Chiefs.   If it was made prior to his release, the trade should be vetoed on the grounds that you can’t trade a starting RB for backup RB straight up – especially considering the historical performance and quality of teams for Westbrook vs. Charles.  However, if this trade was made after LJ was released, we recommend that you let the trade pass.  Sure Westbrook has the history.   But Charles has displayed potential in limited action and given Westbrook’s injury concerns, it is reasonable to believe that Charles will outscore Westbrook through the end of the year given his new, expanded role.