The NBA world has been insane with the Christmas and New Year holidays. Well, it got a little crazier as a trade involving D’Angelo Russell was announced a few days ago. He is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Brooklyn Nets, and the details of that trade are below.
Trade Details
Lakers Acquire: Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton
Nets Acquire: D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, A 2027 2nd Round Pick, A 2030 2nd Round Pick, A 2031 2nd Round Pick.
Ahh, the Los Angeles Lakers and name-chasing for players via trade. It’s almost a yearly tradition in the LeBron era of Lakers history. The funny part is that this trade makes a ton of sense for the Lakers to make. The Lakers desperately needed a 3-point shooter, and their defense is mediocre. Acquiring Finney-Smith will help with that.
Shake Milton is a solid journeyman bench player to add as well. However, he’s only a strict shooting guard, and the one question mark is that the Lakers don’t have many great plug-in players at point guard at the moment. I would say Gabe Vincent, but he’s been dealing with an oblique injury all season.
Another positive for the Lakers in making this trade is that it saves them about $3.5 million dollars and cuts their luxury tax bill.
The tanks are rolling out smoothly at the Barclay Center. It was no longer an if, but when the Nets were going to trade Finney-Smith. After the Dennis Schroeder trade, every player on the team is available via trade.
The Nets focused on this deal to get younger and acquire more draft capital. The Nets were trying to get multiple first-round picks for Finney-Smith but couldn’t get any offers. So, they lowered their asking price and ultimately got three second-rounders instead. It’s great that they got three lottery tickets that will probably not make the roster when used. 2027 could be a top second-round pick if LeBron retires in 2026.
As for the players in the deal, I doubt D’Angelo Russell plays a game for Brooklyn. He’s already been mentioned in the buyout rumors, and if they don’t buy him out, he will likely be moved into a salary dump-type trade. Maxwell Lewis is an intriguing prospect, but he will likely be a G Leaguer.
Los Angeles Lakers – A
Brooklyn Nets – B-
The Lakers get the higher grade here. I can’t give it an A+ due to the question at point guard, but it’s still a trade that makes sense. As for the Brooklyn Nets, they should have traded Finney-Smith last year, but better late than never. It seems like the Nets were interested in the picks and getting younger.
The Nets accomplished their goal, but they should have waited as it was rumored Memphis was interested in getting Finney-Smith. Hopefully, this deal works out for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.
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