It finally happened: the Los Angeles Lakers finally made a big trade. After months of speculation, the Lakers shipped out D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a trade sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, sources told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V175zGtmKW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 29, 2024
That out-of-nowhere move is just what the Lakers needed. They shipped out a polarizing player in Russell, who is on an expiring contract, to upgrade about getting a reliable 3-and-D wing for the cost of three second-round picks and a recent second-round selection in Lewis.
That move has big ripple effects on the West, with the Lakers getting better on the defensive end, where they have struggled this season. If they can get back to average on that end of the floor, then they should be able to climb in the west standings with them currently ranking just fifth in the conference.
However, they are only three losses back from the number two seed Memphis Grizzlies. Speaking of the Grizzlies, they were in discussions with the Nets to acquire Finney-Smith, but those talks obviously broke down with the Lakers stealing him away from Memphis.
With him off the board, the Grizzlies will have to look elsewhere for help, and they may not be able to find a player of Finney-Smith's ability that they can afford. For the Nets, they got value from moving on from Finney-Smith, though they probably were hoping for a first-round pick.
Even so, three second rounders is decent value, and they may end up holding on to Russell with them in need of a point guard after trading Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors earlier this month.
Who won the Dorian Finney-Smith trade: the Los Angeles Lakers or the Brooklyn Nets?
The Lakers definitely got the better of the trade. They not only got an upgrade that could help them address their biggest weakness, but they didn't have to give up a first-round pick. That affords them the possibility of making another trade, such as acquiring Kyle Kuzma and/or Jonas Valanciunas from the Washington Wizards.
The Nets did get some value out of one of their best-remaining players and have continued to clear the decks to try and tank for the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, with Cooper Flagg being the prize. Nevertheless, the Lakers have more to celebrate since the trade makes them a better team while costing them very little. Therefore, they are the clear winners of the deal.