The Los Angeles Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks (2027, 2030, and 2031) to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton on Sunday. Nevertheless, the Lakers are nonetheless in search of potential upgrades forward of the Feb. 6 commerce deadline, in line with The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
Lakers Commerce Rumors: L.A. Has Three First-Spherical Picks, Two Second-Spherical Picks, And Three Choose Swaps To Commerce
The Lakers could determine to make use of their first-round picks (2029, 2030, and/or 2031), however the workforce can commerce solely two of these — 2029 and 2031 — at most. They are going to possible pursue one other commerce deal within the weeks forward because the commerce deadline approaches, when the entrance workplace has a greater gauge on its roster.
Russell began the primary eight video games of the season for the Lakers till coach JJ Redick modified the beginning lineup after his workforce misplaced 4 out of 5 video games.
Los Angeles additionally creates wage and luxurious tax flexibility with this commerce, saving a complete of $15 million and transferring $3.5 million beneath the second apron.
The Lakers 2027 second to Brooklyn is contingent on in the event that they ship their 2027 first to Utah.
If the primary falls within the top-4 and never conveyed, Utah will obtain the 2027 second. https://t.co/XPTHJ2YCgF
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 29, 2024
Finney-Smith has a $15.4 million participant possibility for subsequent season. Redick and Finney-Smith had been teammates with the Mavericks through the 2020-21 season.
“However the plan, for now, is to see how Finney-Smith appears to be like with the group, get their injured frontcourt gamers again (Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wooden) and proceed to evaluate the roster because the deadline approaches,” Buha wrote.
The D’Angelo Russell commerce surprised plenty of NBA insiders and followers alike contemplating Russell had exercised his $18.69 million participant possibility for this season in September, and the Lakers had been in a position to make this strategic transfer with out forking over a first-round choose.
Brooklyn Nets’ Asking Worth For Dorian Finney-Smith Had Been A First-Spherical Choose
The Nets’ asking value for Finney-Smith had been a first-round choose courting again to final season, in line with workforce and league sources. They not too long ago dropped the asking value to a lottery-protected first.
Along with the first-round picks, the Lakers have three choose swaps (2026, 2028, and 2030) and two second-round draft picks to commerce. The most recent commerce primarily offers Los Angeles with a flexible 3-and-D participant in Finney-Smith.
Finney-Smith, 31, is taking pictures a career-high 43.5% from 3-point vary this season and is a stable defender. He’s additionally the one participant within the NBA this season to defend guards, forwards, and facilities every for at the very least 15 half-court matchups per sport, in line with Second Spectrum.
“With this commerce, we’re thrilled so as to add the physicality, toughness and elite taking pictures that Dorian Finney-Smith will deliver to our core,” Lakers common supervisor Rob Pelinka stated in an announcement. “We additionally vastly worth the playmaking of Shake Milton. We’re excited for our followers to get each of those gamers out on the courtroom.”
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers’ 2027 second to Brooklyn is contingent on in the event that they ship their 2027 first to the Utah Jazz. If the primary falls within the prime 4 and never conveyed, Utah will obtain the 2027 second.
