Official NBA standings and playoff bracket

Lakers Trade D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, Three Picks to Nets for Finney-Smith, Milton

Dec 29, 2024, 05:32 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three unprotected second-round picks (2027, 2030, and 2031) to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. This move marks Russell's return to Brooklyn, where he was an All-Star in 2019. D’Angelo Russell, on an expiring $18.69 million contract, is not expected to be bought out and will join the Nets for his second stint with the team. The Lakers acquire Finney-Smith, a versatile 3-and-D wing who is shooting a career-high 44% from three-point range this season and is the only player in the NBA to defend guards, forwards, and centers for at least 15 half-court matchups per game, according to Second Spectrum. The Lakers also gain salary and luxury tax flexibility, saving $15 million, and did not have to surrender a first-round pick in the deal. Shake Milton joins Los Angeles, adding depth to their backcourt. The Nets continue to stockpile draft picks, now holding 31 over the next seven years, including 15 first-round and 16 second-round picks.