Lakers Trade D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, Three Picks for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton

Dec 29, 2024, 07:56 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially traded guard D'Angelo Russell, forward Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. This trade marks Russell's return to Brooklyn, where he previously played, and is seen as a strategic move for the Lakers, who aim to bolster their roster with Finney-Smith's defensive capabilities and shooting proficiency, as he is currently shooting a career-high 44% from three-point range. The Nets, in return, gain draft capital and a promising young player in Lewis, along with Russell, who is expected to play a significant role in their lineup. The Lakers' general manager Rob Pelinka expressed excitement about adding Finney-Smith, emphasizing his physicality and shooting skills as vital to the team's needs. This trade comes after the Grizzlies were reportedly in discussions to acquire Finney-Smith but were ultimately outbid by the Lakers' offer, which included three unprotected second-round picks for the upcoming drafts in 2027, 2030, and 2031.