With the NBA trade deadline approaching in 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally completed a major trade. They sent D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, significantly improving their lineup's perimeter defense and shooting capabilities.
However, the process of the Lakers acquiring Finney-Smith was not easy. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Nets almost traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers' direct Western Conference rival. Scotto reported: "Before the Brooklyn Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies offered a package including a top-15 protected first-round pick in 2025, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar in exchange for Finney-Smith and a second-round pick."
Scotto is not the only journalist to report such news; NBA insider Marc Stein also reported that the Lakers made a sudden move, outbidding the Grizzlies for Finney-Smith. Compared to the Grizzlies' protected first-round pick (where the Nets would still need to add at least one second-round pick), the Nets preferred the Lakers' offer of three second-round picks.
The Lakers seized the opportunity to acquire Finney-Smith and even got 28-year-old Milton. Milton had a stable season with the Nets, playing 27 games this season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 18.2 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 46% and a three-point percentage of 38%.
More importantly, the Lakers freed themselves from Russell's contract burden through this trade, saving over $3 million in salary cap space, facilitating future transactions. While this trade enhanced the Lakers' perimeter defense and shooting, it did not solve their interior defensive issues. It is well known that the Lakers have been looking to acquire a backup center through trades since the start of the season. With the trade deadline nearing, the Lakers are sure to make another trade, leaving little time for General Manager Rob Pelinka to improve the roster.