NBA: LA Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn Nets- Sources

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

Russell, the second overall pick in the 2015 draft, is averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 26.3 minutes per game this season.

The 28-year-old point guard returns to the Nets, where he played for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, when he earned his only All-Star selection.

The move gives the Lakers a versatile, 3-and-D player in Finney-Smith, 31, who is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds this season for the Nets, with whom he’s played since arriving in the Kyrie Irving trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023.

Finney-Smith is shooting a career-high 44% from 3-point land this season and is known as a high-level wing defender.

Lakers coach JJ Redick has preached positional versatility and toughness in his roster — attributes the franchise’s new addition should help with. Los Angeles also creates salary and luxury tax flexibility, saving a total $15 million and moving $3.5 million below the second apron. Finney-Smith has a $15.4 million player option for next season.

Earlier this month, the Nets traded Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors for three second-round picks.

Milton, 28, was averaging 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in his first season with the Nets.