Lakers Trade D’Angelo Russell to Nets for Finney-Smith and Milton
In a surprising move, the Lakers have traded D’Angelo Russell to the Nets, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton in return.
Lakers, D’Angelo Russell, Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton, Brooklyn, NBA
Los Angeles: So, the Lakers just made a big move before the trade deadline. They were really looking for a solid two-way player who could shoot threes and defend well. And guess what? They got Dorian Finney-Smith.
There were talks about him going to Memphis, but the Lakers jumped in with a better offer. They sent D’Angelo Russell back to Brooklyn, where he used to be an All-Star, along with some picks and another player. It’s a pretty smart move for the Lakers.
Finney-Smith is exactly what they needed. He’s a solid defender and can shoot the three-ball like a champ. He’s been averaging over 10 points a game and hitting 43.5% from beyond the arc this season. He’ll fit right into the starting lineup, likely taking over for Max Christie or Rui Hachimura.
And then there’s Shake Milton. He’ll come off the bench and provide some decent backup for the point guard position. He might not score as much as Russell, but that’s okay. The Lakers are looking for more shooting and defense, and Milton can help with that.
Plus, this trade saves the Lakers some cash—over $3 million. Now they have a bit of wiggle room to make another move, maybe even grab a big guy to play alongside Anthony Davis.
On the flip side, Brooklyn gets some future picks and a young player in Maxwell Lewis. Russell, who’s been traded five times in his career, will likely take on a big role with the Nets as they focus on rebuilding for the draft.