On December 30th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues. According to Shams, a well-known journalist, the Lakers and the Nets have reached a trade. The Lakers sent D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to receive Finney Smith and Shake Milton!
So what are the backgrounds of these two new Lakers players?
Finney Smith is 31 years old this year. He entered the NBA in 2016 and played for the Mavericks for 6 and a half years. The 2021-22 season can be regarded as Smith's strongest season. He started all 80 games, averaging 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals, helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals. In the mid-season trade involving Irving in the 2022-23 season, Smith was sent to the Nets by the Mavericks.
So far this season, Smith averages 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals, with a three-point shooting percentage of 43.5% (a career high, previously highest at 39.5% in the 2021-22 season), averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game. Throughout his career, Smith has played 548 games, averaging 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with a three-point shooting percentage of 35.9%. From the above data, we can see that Smith's three-point shooting will be the foundation of his standing in the Lakers.
More importantly, Smith also has an impact on the defensive end. He can defend multiple positions, from point guard to center. His defensive ability and basketball IQ make him a key figure on the team's defense. In this regard, NBA Central wrote: According to Second Spectrum statistics, Smith is the only player in the NBA who defends against guards, forwards, and centers at least 15 times in half-court defense every game. The Lakers really found a treasure!
Milton is 28 years old this year. He was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft and played for the 76ers for five seasons. Last season, due to injury reasons, he was traded consecutively and played for the Timberwolves, Pistons, and Knicks in a single season. So far this season, Milton has appeared in 27 games for the Nets, starting once, averaging 18.2 minutes per game, scoring 7.4 points, grabbing 1.9 rebounds, and dishing out 2.4 assists, with a shooting percentage of 46.5% and a three-point shooting percentage of 38.9%.
Looking back at Milton's career so far, his biggest feature is versatility and all-around ability. He can score and organize offense. He can play point guard, shooting guard, and even small forward in certain situations. When he plays point guard, he has good organizational skills and can create opportunities for his teammates using pick-and-rolls and passes. His passing and organizational abilities are impressive, showing the court control ability of a backcourt core. At the same time, he is also a
As a result, American media quickly posted a picture of the Lakers' new lineup: Knect, Hachimura, Davis, Milton, Smith, James, Reeves. Unexpectedly, they will become the main rotation of the Lakers. As of now, the Lakers' record is 18 wins and 13 losses, temporarily ranking fifth in the West.
What level do you think the new Lakers are after the trade? Welcome to share your opinions in the comment area.