Lakers Send D’Angelo Russell to Nets in Four Player Deal

Key Takeaways:

• Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell to Nets
  The Lakers have sent guard D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn, marking his second trade to the Nets.

• Lakers acquire Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton
  Los Angeles brings in two players to bolster their roster and address specific needs.

• Russell’s diminished role under coach JJ Redick
  A drop in performance and playing time led to Russell’s departure.

• Finney-Smith addresses Lakers’ need for wing defense
  The forward fills a critical gap in the Lakers’ defensive lineup.

• Nets continue roster restructuring
  The trade reflects ongoing changes to the Nets’ team composition.

Lakers Trade D’Angelo Russell to Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers have traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. The Lakers also sent forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn on Sunday.

Russell’s Diminished Role Under Coach JJ Redick

Russell averaged a career-low 12.4 points for the Lakers this season in a diminished role under new coach JJ Redick, who had vowed to unlock the point guard’s formidable offensive game. Instead, Russell was removed from the starting lineup in early November and struggled to make a consistent impact as a reserve, with his shooting percentages declining significantly from his previous two seasons back in Los Angeles.

Finney-Smith Fills Lakers’ Need for Wing Defense

The 6-foot-7 Dorian Finney-Smith isn’t a top scorer, but he is a steady 3-and-D wing who fills an obvious need for the Lakers. Los Angeles has had inconsistent wing play and has lacked an effective defender at the key position during the long-term injury absence of Jarred Vanderbilt, who hasn’t played since February 1. Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while hitting a career-best 43.5% of his three-point attempts this season for the Nets.

Rob Pelinka Welcomes New Additions

“We want to thank D’Angelo for his second stint with us, where we celebrated some great moments and accomplishments on the court together,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We are thrilled to add the physicality, toughness and elite shooting that Dorian Finney-Smith will bring to our core. We also greatly value the playmaking of Shake Milton. We are excited for our fans to get both of these players out on the court.”

Shake Milton Joins the Lakers

Shake Milton is joining his sixth NBA team in less than two years, including his third trade in 11 months. He is averaging 7.4 points and 2.4 assists this season as a Nets reserve, and the Lakers hope his playmaking abilities will strengthen their backcourt.

Impact on Lakers’ Point Guard Rotation

With Russell’s departure, Gabe Vincent is the only true point guard left in the Lakers’ rotation, although LeBron James often fills the role of initiating their offense. The Lakers (18-13) have won five of six heading into their visit from Cleveland on New Year’s Eve, and the new additions are expected to contribute immediately.

Russell’s Return to Brooklyn

Russell is being traded by the Lakers to the Nets for the second time in his career. He also made the move in 2017 after spending his first two NBA seasons with Los Angeles, which drafted him in 2015. Russell earned the only All-Star selection of his career during his two seasons in Brooklyn. He has been traded five times in the past 7 1/2 years, and the Nets are hopeful that he can rejuvenate his career where he previously found success.

Nets Continue Roster Restructuring

The trade continues a roster restructuring by the Nets, who traded former Lakers point guard Dennis Schröder to Golden State two weeks ago. Schröder was Brooklyn’s third-leading scorer, while Finney-Smith was its fourth-leading scorer. The Nets have been one of the NBA’s lowest-scoring teams this season, so Russell should have plenty of opportunities to make an offensive impact. Brooklyn has lost three of four heading into its road game against Orlando on Sunday.

Contract Details and Future Implications

Russell’s $18.7 million contract expires this summer, while Finney-Smith has a $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Maxwell Lewis was the Lakers’ second-round pick in 2023, but he played in just 41 games over the past two seasons while shuttling to the G League. The exchange of draft picks and expiring contracts may offer both teams flexibility in future roster moves.

The trade between the Lakers and Nets marks a significant moment for both franchises as they look to adjust their strategies and personnel for the remainder of the season. With new faces joining their squads, both teams hope to improve their standings and address the challenges they’ve faced so far.