The Los Angeles Lakers bolstered their rotation over the weekend, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, the Lakers are sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks back to the Nets. It’s a deal that makes sense for both sides as the Lakers are hoping to make a playoff push while the Nets acquire some draft capital.
Finney-Smith is the key addition for the Lakers here as he will provide much-needed shooting and defense. He’s shooting a career-high 43.5-percent — 21st in the NBA — on 5.4 three-point attempts through 20 games. Defensively, Finney-Smith is a versatile option who can switch across multiple positions.
The Lakers (18-13) have improved defensively during their recent stretch. Inserting third-year wing Max Christie into the starting lineup has been a massive boon. His athleticism and activity have helped ignite wins in five of LA’s last six contests.
The team hopes Finney-Smith can provide a similar boost. Leaning into taller, versatile wings that can stretch the floor has been a winning formula for teams led by LeBron James. Jarred Vanderbilt — who has been out since February but is eyeing a return next month — also fits the bill. Additionally, having more capable defenders on the perimeter will allow Anthony Davis to be even more dominant down low.
On the other side, it’s now twice that the Lakers have traded Russell to the Nets. Russell’s second stint with the Lakers was more successful than the first. He helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023, and played a major part in series wins over the Grizzlies and Warriors. Last year, Russell set a franchise record for most made threes in a season with 226.
However, LA’s recent play made Russell expendable. He was moved to a reserve role just two weeks into first-year head coach J.J Redick’s tenure. His numbers are down across the board. It will be intriguing to see what the Nets have planned for him. Russell rebounded his career once in Brooklyn and was named an All-Star with the Nets in 2019.
This time, it’s different. The league knows Russell is a streaky scorer and capable playmaker. The question remains if he’s willing to do all the other things that influence winning. If he’s able to showcase that, a playoff hopeful may take a chance on the 28-year-old before the season’s end.
The Lakers may not be done wheeling and dealing. They still have all of their first-round picks. Milton wasn’t the marquee player acquired in the deal, but the 28-year-old guard is shooting 38.9-percent from three this season and dished out 12 assists in his final game with the Nets. It’s possible he earns the backup point guard role with Russell gone, making it easier for the Lakers to include Gabe Vincent in a future deal. Look for LA to remain active in the trade market as we approach February’s deadline.
