In the NBA trade market, the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have made an early move ahead of the deadline. The two teams have reportedly agreed on a trade that will send D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
For the Lakers, Finney-Smith will provide wing depth as they aim for a playoff spot with an 18-13 record. Milton, who scored 7.4 points per game for the Nets this season, adds more depth to the roster.
The trade marks a homecoming for Russell, who played his first two seasons with the Lakers before being traded to the Nets in 2017. Russell had a successful stint in Brooklyn, earning an All-Star appearance in 2019. He has since played for multiple teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and a second stint with the Lakers.
This season, Russell has averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 assists in 29 games. Lewis, a second-round pick for the Lakers in 2023, will now have a bigger opportunity with the rebuilding Nets.
With both teams making moves to bolster their rosters, it will be interesting to see how this trade impacts their respective playoff aspirations and future plans. Fans will be watching closely as the NBA trade deadline approaches.
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