Brittney Griner's current detainment in Russia has been one of the biggest talking points in American politics as of late. An arrest for possession of a vape pen led to a high-profile case that involves the strained ties between the US and Russia. Now, it seems like the conclusion to this saga is reaching its end.

On Thursday morning, Brittney Griner officially pleaded guilty to the drug charges levied against her. On the surface, the move seems counter-intuitive to the goal of getting the WNBA star home. If you want to get Griner home, shouldn't it make more sense to push for a “Not Guilty” verdict?

There's a few mechanisms in play, though, that all but necessitate a guilty plea from Griner. The most theorized reason is that a conviction paves the way for a potential prisoner swap between the US and Russia. It has long been rumored that the Russian government wants the release of notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner. Getting her “convicted” allows the US to facilitate a swap and bring Griner home.

It's also possible that Brittney Griner's legal team has decided that a “not guilty” verdict is unreachable in her case. Instead, the WNBA star could be hoping for a “suspended sentence” if the court decides that her decision to bring cannabis oil cannisters were not criminal in nature. However, a suspended sentence would likely mean that Griner would need to stay in Russia.

The next court hearing for Griner will be held a week from now. Hopefully, we get more clarity on Griner's status before or during that date.