Trade Grades: Lakers Deserve High Marks For Dorian Finney-Smith Trade With Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled the trigger on a trade that could significantly improve their roster on both ends of the floor, acquiring wing Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, rookie Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks, NBA sources confirmed to Hoops Wire on Sunday.

This deal comes as the Lakers, who have struggled at times to put together a consistent supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, aim to add more defensive toughness and perimeter shooting.

Russell, whose expiring $18.6 million contract has long been rumored to be part of any significant Lakers trade, returns to the Nets, where he played from 2017-19. Russell’s second stint in Los Angeles has been somewhat underwhelming, with the 28-year-old averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season.

He has struggled to find consistency alongside the Lakers’ star duo, and his frustrations have occasionally been evident in on-court moments.

In Finney-Smith, the Lakers land one of the best 3-and-D players in the league. The 31-year-old has been shooting a career-high 43.5% from beyond the arc this season while providing elite defense on the perimeter.

Finney-Smith’s ability to guard multiple positions gives the Lakers added flexibility, and he will help balance the roster with his size (6-foot-7) and tenacity.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick, already known for emphasizing positional versatility, will likely integrate Finney-Smith into a starting lineup that should include Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, as well as James and Davis. This gives the Lakers a versatile, long, and tough lineup to combat some of the best perimeter players in the league.

Milton, 28, could serve as a depth piece for the Lakers’ backcourt, but with his current role in Brooklyn as a backup, he’s unlikely to see consistent minutes unless injury issues arise.

This trade does not deliver the star power many anticipated, but it does strengthen a critical area of need for the Lakers.

The addition of Finney-Smith could make the difference between the Lakers being NBA contenders or falling short. The trade also maintains the Lakers’ ability to make another significant move, as they preserved their future first-round picks.

Grade for Lakers: B+

Meanwhile, the Nets acquired Russell, who likely won’t factor into their long-term plans as they transition into rebuilding mode. With the Nets slipping out of playoff contention and embracing the tanking route to secure higher draft picks, it’s hard to see Russell as anything more than a temporary solution.

His contract expires at the end of this season, and there’s a chance Brooklyn moves him again or even waives him before the deadline.

Lewis, a 22-year-old wing taken in the second round of the 2023 draft, has seen limited action in his brief NBA career. The 6-foot-7 forward could be a project for the Nets, though his G League numbers haven’t been stellar thus far.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn also gets three second-round picks in the deal. However, many wonder whether those picks hold much value for a team that already has a significant number of draft selections in the coming years.

While the Nets have added some draft capital and young talent, this deal feels like more of a salary dump than a strategic move to improve the roster. The lack of a first-round pick in return for Finney-Smith, combined with the fact that Russell likely won’t be part of Brooklyn’s future plans, leaves some wondering if the Nets could have done better.

Grade for Nets: C