Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant trade, bringing in one of head coach JJ Redick’s former teammates while parting ways with D’Angelo Russell.
On Sunday, the Lakers agreed to trade Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The trade provides the Lakers with more financial flexibility, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted the team is now $3.5 million below the second apron, compared to just $30,000 before the deal.
Finney-Smith, who played alongside Redick on the Dallas Mavericks during the 2020-21 season—Redick’s final year in the NBA—had been on the Lakers’ radar for weeks. The 6-foot-7 forward is highly regarded for his wing defense and is enjoying a career-best season from beyond the arc, shooting 43.5%. He’s also averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season.
Russell, who previously spent two seasons with the Nets, averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 26.3 minutes per game for the Lakers this year. He lost his starting role earlier in the season and faced some criticism from Redick.
This deal gives the Lakers a stronger defensive presence and improved three-point shooting, while Russell returns to familiar territory in Brooklyn.