This encapsulation, “Lakers Land Finney-Smith & Milton: A Win-Now Move While Preserving the Future”, is pulled with permission from this video by Swish City.
Yesterday Shams Charania broke the news that a significant NBA trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets had gone down. This trade marks the first major exchange since the league’s trade restrictions were lifted. With D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks heading to Brooklyn, and Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton on their way to Los Angeles, both teams have something to gain as they pursue their respective game plans.
Lakers Land Finney-Smith: The Lakers’ Strategic Gain
For the Lakers, this trade brings meaningful additions in Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Both players bolster the team’s core with their versatility and skill sets. Finney-Smith, in particular, is a versatile three-and-D wing with a career-high 44% shooting from the three-point line. This only reinforces the Lakers’ capability in the Western Conference, strengthening their wing depth—an area that saw demand given Jared Vanderbilt’s injury struggles.
Moreover, the Lakers achieved this without relinquishing any first-round picks. This aspect is pivotal to the Lakers’ broader objectives as it preserves their future plan—an era with or without LeBron James. The salary and luxury tax savings of $15 million also promise more flexibility in future transactions, be it trade deals or buyout market activities.
Shake Milton, known for his scoring ability, fits into the Lakers’ lineup as a potent bench piece. In a Lakers’ guard rotation that previously saw Russell moving from the starting lineup to the bench, Milton’s ability as a playmaker is a valuable asset. While this trade might not propel the Lakers into immediate title contention, it positions them well for future moves, leveraging remaining draft capital and free-agent flexibility.
The Nets’ Roadmap to Future Success
On the flip side, the Brooklyn Nets gain substantial draft capital and flexibility. By taking in D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract and adding young talent like Maxwell Lewis, the Nets set the stage for a strategic rebuild. They receive three second-round picks (1987, 2030, and 2031), potentially high-value assets in long-term roster construction.
The Nets now hold 31 draft picks over the next seven years, consisting of 15 first-round and 16 second-round selections. This burgeoning war chest places Brooklyn in an enviable position akin to the Oklahoma City Thunder or Houston Rockets, who have built promising young rosters through similar strategies.
Though acquiring Russell might feel like revisiting past affiliations—given his previous tenure in Brooklyn amidst the KD and Kyrie era—his expiring contract offers future trade opportunities. If not flipped by the trade deadline, Russell’s presence in the Nets’ rotation provides a stopgap solution until they decide on a long-term strategy at the point guard position.
Maxwell Lewis, while currently a lesser-known entity, embodies a potential high-reward asset. Young players from the Lakers system—like Lonzo Ball and others—have often found developmental success post-trade, and Lewis could follow suit in Brooklyn given the opportunity to grow within a rebuilding context.
A Win-Win for Both Sides
Both organizations exit this trade as winners, having successfully executed moves aligning with their broader objectives. The Lakers have reinforced their competitive lineup while retaining future flexibility and draft assets. The Nets enhance their future-building strategy with additional picks and cap room, setting the stage for future talent acquisition.
These strategic trades emphasize that while immediate impacts vary, both teams position themselves favorably for future endeavors on and off the court, making this trade a pivotal moment for both franchises.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Is this trade a win for your favorite team? How do you see this shaping their future performances? As NBA fans, we eagerly wait to see how these changes play out on the court.
