Cross-country deal: Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell back to Nets, get Finney-Smith, Milton
The Los Angeles Lakers traded guard D’Angelo Russell, forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday (Monday, December 30, Manila time) in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.
The Lakers will send their second-round picks in 2027, 2030 and 2031 to Brooklyn in the deal, ESPN reported.
It marks the second time that Russell, 28, has been dealt from the Lakers to the Nets. Los Angeles selected him No. 2 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, and he spent two seasons there before being traded on June 22, 2017, with Timofey Mozgov to the Nets for Brook Lopez and draft pick Kyle Kuzma.
Russell made stops with the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before the Lakers acquired him again on February 9, 2023, as part of a three-team deal.
Russell’s role in head coach J.J. Redick’s rotation had diminished. In October, Russell averaged 30.6 minutes per game, dropping to 25.5 in November and 25.2 in December.
In 29 games (10 starts) this season, he’s averaging 26.3 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists. All are below his career averages of 30 minutes, 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Lewis, 22, has seen limited action for the Lakers this season, with the small forward scoring 15 points in seven games.
Finney-Smith, 31, is in his ninth NBA season. He has started all 20 games he’s appeared in, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 29 minutes per game.
Milton, 28, is averaging 7.4 points per game over 27 appearances (one start). He is also contributing 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. – Rappler.com