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"Should have left him in Russian prison" - Twitter users lash out at Brittney Griner after 'death merchant' swapped for her returns to arms dealing
Viktor Bout, the arms dealer swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner for her release in 2022, is reportedly back to his old ways. According to the New York Post, Bout, nicknamed the "Merchant of Death," is allegedly dealing arms to Houthi rebels.
Griner was arrested and imprisoned in Russia in February 2022 on drug smuggling charges. The US government made a deal to swap prisoners to secure the freedom of the Phoenix Mercury player in December of the same year.
The New York Post reported that Bout is dealing with the "rebels attacking Israel and merchant ships in the Middle East." The Yemen-based group reportedly arranged a $10 million deal with Bout. The Wall Street Journal reported that the deal included automatic weapons.
Fans weren't happy with the report and lashed out at the WNBA star.
"That dude who sucks at basketball, we should have left him in the Russian prison bad swap!" a fan said on X (formerly Twitter).
"Let’s trade them back," another fan said.
"I wouldn't have traded Michael Jordan for Viktor. He's BEYOND dangerous," a fan said.
Other fans echoed the same sentiment.
"Dumbest trade ever," one fan said.
"Worse than the Paul Pierce and KG to the Nets trade," another fan said, referencing the Brooklyn Nets' 2013 trade.
"I think we lost this trade," a fan said.
Brittney Griner joined another professional league following the WNBA season
The Mercury were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Lynx. Following the season, Griner joined the "Unrivaled" league, a professional basketball league that will commence in January 2025.
The nine-time All-Star was the 24th player announced by the league, joining Angel Reese, Marina Mabrey, Kelsey Plum and several others.
Brittney Griner is coming off an All-Star season for the Mercury. She put up 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She played 30 games and was a significant factor in the team's system. In the playoffs, she only appeared in two games and averaged 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds.
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