Breaking News! Lakers Trade Russell Back to the Nets in a Major Deal
Late-night news from Beijing time.
The Lakers have traded Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Nets, in exchange for Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
Among them, the three second-round picks are for 2027, 2030, and 2031.
In the past, they were often the "interested team," habitually "picking up cigarette butts," but this time Pelinka took advantage of the Nets' supermarket opening, did the right thing, without being stingy or looking around, and actively seized the opportunity when it came.
What they got were two immediate contributors.
Finney-Smith is the "main dish."
This season, he averages 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds (including 1.6 offensive rebounds and 3.0 defensive rebounds), 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 45.9% and a career-high three-point percentage of 43.5%.
This guy looks tough, and he is the only player in the NBA this season who has faced off against guards, forwards, and centers at least 15 times per game, a versatile player.
There's no need to say what kind of player he is; he's the 3D that every team in the league needs.
Shake Milton, a 196cm shooting guard, averages 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this season, with a shooting percentage of 46.5% and a three-point percentage of 38.9%, and he shoots 40% on catch-and-shoot threes.
The impact of the two new additions on the Lakers will only be known after they play some games.
For the Nets, they have already stockpiled a total of 31 draft picks for the next seven years, including 15 first-round picks and 16 second-round picks.
Draft picks and expiring contracts are what they need.
Next, it's about trading Cameron Johnson.
As for the Nets, there's nothing more to say; I wish them well in getting Flag.
...
When I saw the news of the trade, I actually wanted to talk more about Russell, who has been traded back to the Nets by the Lakers once again.
Over the past two years, Russell has received a lot of criticism, especially for his lackluster performance in the playoffs (especially against the Nuggets), which has not been spared from fan criticism.
His defensive toughness is insufficient, and his offensive consistency is lacking; these are all existing problems. But I want to say a few words for this player:
Water Pull, you're really not as bad as the reputation suggests.
Everyone should have their own judgment when evaluating a player and listen less to the rhythm of self-media.
Just look at the numbers: last season, he averaged 18 points and 6.3 assists in the regular season, and this season, he averages 12.4 points and 4.7 assists, which makes him a qualified starting point guard in any case.
Lakers fans are often "greedy" and demand that players perform at an All-Star level.
Have you forgotten that his annual salary is $18 million? In today's NBA, you can't ask for too much with that salary...
But I do hope Russell gets traded; a change of environment would be good.
He was destined to feel awkward playing for the Lakers.
As a point guard, he needs the ball, but in reality, he gets very limited ball possession on the Lakers.
I've said it before: what kind of guards does James suit? Please refer to Chalmers, known as the dribbling guard, who brings the ball over half court, passes it to the big brother, and then waits in the corner.
But Water Pull is not that kind of player; he needs to run pick-and-rolls.
You'll find that when James doesn't play, Russell often performs well; his 44 points against the Bucks is a prime example.
But the reality is that the Lakers can't meet Water Pull's ball possession requirements; there's the big core James, and this season, Reeves has taken on a lot of the ball-handling responsibilities.
So it's normal for Russell, who plays the same position, to be marginalized; a point guard without the ball, what's the point of playing?
Therefore, going to the rebuilding Nets, who have no record requirements, is still a pretty good choice for Russell in his contract year.
If you think I'm whitewashing Water Pull, that's fine.
Playing for the Lakers requires all "puzzle athletes" to bear the huge pressure under the spotlight.
If you play well, you can be blown up like a god, such as Xiao Li and Konekt... The praise you receive will be much more than from other teams.
But if you don't play well, fans will often scrutinize you under a microscope and criticize you.
This is what Lakers and Warriors players face.
Finney-Smith comes to the Lakers, and I see that the current tone is hyping him up so high, with firecrackers and gongs and drums; is it the New Year?
Trading away Water Pull and getting a 3D seems to be able to bring a qualitative improvement to the team?
Brother may not want to hear the truth: I don't believe that a 40-year-old James can lead the team to great heights; he's really on the decline.
From the "side dishes" perspective, whether Finney-Smith comes or not, the Lakers have enough, right? People like Hachimura, Biao Ge, and Reddish aren't bad either?
But James' physical condition really can't support him through a playoff series.
Can Finney-Smith change that? If he performs well, he'll get less criticized.
But after a while, maybe fans will say, Russell played so well, we traded him for two fraudsters who can't shoot threes for their lives...
That's just the norm for fans.