The Lakers have finally landed wing Dorian Finney-Smith, a “three-and-D” player the team has coveted for more than a season, by sending out D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers also acquired reserve guard Shake Milton in the deal, which helped them trim nearly $3 million in payroll and gives them flexibility under the second salary cap apron.
The trade, which happened Sunday morning and was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the deal, gives the Lakers a 6-foot-7 forward in Finney-Smith who is shooting 43.5% from three on 5.4 attempts per game and adds to their thin frontcourt.
Finney-Smith, 31, has played in 20 games this season and is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. He is known for being a reliable three-point shooter and playing strong, versatile defense.
The Lakers will now need to decide how he slots in their rotation and whether he replaces either Rui Hachimura or Max Christie in their starting lineup. Finney-Smith has essentially been a full-time starter since the 2019-20 season, when he established himself as a reliable three-point shooter.
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The trade ends a long stretch of uncertainty for Russell and the organization, with the former No. 2 overall pick seemingly being on the trade block since the Lakers acquired him in the trade that sent out Russell Westbrook in 2023.
Russell helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals that season, and his play in the second half of last season helped push the Lakers to 47 wins. Russell set the Lakers record for most made threes in a year with 226.
But concerns about his defense and playoff performances along with the emergence of Austin Reaves helped push Russell to the bench this season, and with the Lakers’ improving defense, the point guard saw his minutes and offensive opportunities cut.
This season, Russell has averaged just 12.4 points and 26.3 minutes, while seeing his three-point shooting drop from 41.5% last season to 33.3% this year. In the final year of his contract, Russell returns to the Nets, where he made his lone All-Star appearance in 2019.
Lewis, the Lakers’ second-round pick in 2023, never found a consistent role with the NBA squad and spent nearly all of his tenure with the organization playing in the G-League.
Milton, 28, is averaging 7.4 points in 27 games for the Nets this season while making 38.9% of his three-point shots. He’s viewed by scouts as a streaky second-unit shooter with the ability to get the ball to the basket.
The Lakers play Tuesday against Cleveland, who have the best record in the NBA.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
