LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have recently made a significant trade, sending guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. As part of the deal, the Lakers also included forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks on Sunday.
Russell has had a challenging season, averaging a career-low of 12.4 points while playing a reduced role under new head coach JJ Redick. Despite Redick’s commitment to enhancing Russell’s offensive skills, the guard found himself out of the starting lineup by early November. His performance further declined as a reserve, leading to a notable drop in his shooting efficiency compared to his previous seasons with the Lakers.
Finney-Smith, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, may not be a leading scorer, but he is a reliable 3-and-D wing that addresses a pressing need for Los Angeles. The Lakers have faced challenges with inconsistent wing play and a lack of a formidable defender during the prolonged absence of Jarred Vanderbilt, who has not played since February 1.
This season, Finney-Smith has averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while achieving a career-high 43.5% on three-point attempts. After being traded from Dallas in February 2023 as part of the deal that sent Kyrie Irving away, he has been somewhat hindered in the current month by a sprained ankle and a bruised calf, although he managed to clock 27 minutes against San Antonio last Friday.
In a statement, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka expressed gratitude towards Russell for his contributions during two stints with the team and highlighted enthusiasm for integrating the toughness and shooting prowess of Finney-Smith into the Lakers’ roster. He also acknowledged the playmaking skills of Shake Milton, eagerly anticipating their impact on the court.
Redick and Finney-Smith had previously been teammates with the Mavericks in the 2020-21 season, and Redick has shown admiration for Finney-Smith’s tenacious playing style. Milton, on the other hand, is set to join his sixth NBA team in under two years and has faced three trades in just 11 months, averaging 7.4 points and 2.4 assists this season as a Nets reserve.
This marks the second time Russell has been traded to the Nets in his career; he initially joined Brooklyn in 2017 after the Lakers selected him in the 2015 NBA Draft. During his time with the Nets, he earned his only All-Star selection. Over the past 7.5 years, Russell has experienced five trades.
Despite being a key contributor for the Lakers during their 2023 playoff journey, Russell faced challenges in maintaining consistency and struggled with defensive performance under Redick’s system, which ultimately limited his role this season.
With Russell’s exit, Gabe Vincent emerges as the sole true point guard in the Lakers’ rotation, although LeBron James often assumes playmaking responsibilities. The Lakers (18-13) appear to be gaining momentum, having won five out of their last six games as they prepare to host Cleveland on New Year’s Eve.
The trade aligns with the Nets’ efforts to restructure their roster, having traded former Lakers point guard Dennis Schröder to Golden State just two weeks prior. Schröder was the Nets’ third-leading scorer, and Finney-Smith ranked fourth.
Brooklyn has faced challenges scoring this season, making way for Russell to have ample opportunities to assert his offensive skills. As the Nets head into their road game against Orlando, they are aiming to bounce back from losing three out of their last four games.
Russell’s $18.7 million contract is set to expire this summer, while Finney-Smith has a player option worth $15.4 million for the 2025-26 season. Lewis, the Lakers’ second-round pick in 2023, has had limited playtime in the past two seasons, participating in only 41 games while frequently moving to the G League.
