The Los Angeles Lakers have recently been in a state of turmoil after completing a major trade, sending D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for two players: Dorian Finney-Smith and Melton. At first glance, the trade seemed quite beneficial, especially in terms of immediate combat effectiveness and defense, where the Lakers have significantly strengthened their lineup. However, there is a problem: Finney-Smith does not seem to plan on staying with the Lakers for long. Media reports suggest that he may opt out of his contract to become a free agent, which has left Lakers fans feeling uneasy. The Lakers had just made a seemingly profitable trade, but now Finney-Smith wants to leave early. Could this trade really turn into a significant loss? To determine whether this trade is a blood-earning or a huge loss, we need to analyze it carefully. Finney-Smith may not be a household name, but his performance on the court is far from ordinary. He is not just a wing player who can shoot three-pointers; he is also an excellent defender. The Lakers managed to acquire him from the Nets, which was a good move, especially considering the need to strengthen their defense. The Lakers have been lacking a stable 3D player in recent years, and Smith fits the bill perfectly. Last season, Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 45.9% and a three-point shooting percentage of an impressive 43.5%. His three-point shooting ability is highly desirable. He is like the…

The Lakers have been making a lot of trades recently. They first traded Russell for two good helpers, Smith and Milton, and now they are eyeing Valanciunas, which has attracted attention from the entire league and made fans restless. The Lakers' management has really invested heavily this time. Many people felt it was a loss when Russell was sent away, but the two players, Smith and Milton, have indeed brought new energy to the team, especially Smith's defense, which is like putting a net over the opponents' heads, and Milton's breakthroughs are also fierce. Russell's time with the Lakers was not very comfortable. His shooting accuracy fluctuated, and he was hesitant to take key shots, which almost drove the coaching staff crazy. In the end, he could only sit on the bench and watch others play. In this situation, trading him away was actually a win-win decision. After Smith arrived, the team's defensive intensity increased significantly. Opponents' scorers were troubled by him, and his three-point shooting was particularly accurate. This made the Lakers' offense more three-dimensional, and opponents dared not easily double-team James and Davis. Although Milton is not very famous, he plays very smartly, with fast break speed and accurate shooting. He is willing to step up in critical moments, which is particularly important in the playoffs. The Lakers' strength has indeed improved significantly after this trade, but the management is apparently not satisfied. They now have their sights set on Valanciunas, who has performed quite well with the Wizards. Valanciunas has a distinctive playing style, with diverse offensive…

The Lakers' big trade involving five players for two seems to have turned from a great deal to a significant loss. The situation with Smith is particularly problematic as he is reportedly difficult to manage, demanding both money and playing time, leaving the team in an awkward position. The Lakers' management made a bold move by trading Russell, Lewis, and several second-round picks to acquire Smith and Milton. Initially, the entire league thought the Lakers had made a good deal. Russell was seen as a marginal player on the Lakers, not performing well on the court and not expected to become a core player. On the other hand, Milton is a decent backup player who can shoot and drive to the basket, and is willing to step up in crucial moments, although it's uncertain how long he will stay with the team due to the high turnover rate of role players. Smith is indeed a skilled player with solid defense and accurate three-point shooting, making him a sought-after player in the league. However, he appears dissatisfied with his contract, looking down upon the player option worth over $15 million and wanting to explore the free market. This has put the Lakers in a difficult situation, as they initially believed they had found a strong assistant to help them compete for the championship, only to find out that Smith had no intention of staying long-term. Despite the coaching staff and teammates enjoying Smith's company and having a good time with him during training, it seems these factors are not enough to…

The Lakers suffered a heartbreaking loss at home against the Orlando Magic, who were playing back-to-back games. The game was decided by a last-second shot from Franz Wagner, a familiar scenario for Lakers fans as Anthony Davis missed two free throws, allowing the opponent to hit a three-pointer for the win, a situation that occurred more than once last season. However, the Lakers did not lose this game due to their 26-for-17 free throw shooting, which cost them 9 points. While this was unfortunate, it was not the main reason for their defeat. 1. Why Did Reddish Only Play in the Final Play?‌ Throughout the fourth quarter, the Lakers primarily used Christie in their rotations, with Reddish only entering the game in the final play to defend against Wagner, who ultimately made the game-winning shot. Coach Ham's decision to use Christie was clear; he wanted to chase after Suggs, who had a good game. However, in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, the Magic focused their offense on Wagner, using screens to switch out the big men. Wagner then attacked Christie twice in a row and followed up with two more attacks on Reeves. At this point, Christie was completely unable to keep up, being at a disadvantage in height and wingspan, making him the weakest point on the court. In comparison, KCP posed too great an offensive threat to be replaced, and Reeves' experience in close defense and ability to share the ball on offense meant he couldn't be taken off either. It was time to replace…

According to NBA insider Shams, the Clippers are attempting to pursue All-Star point guard D'Angelo Russell, who was recently traded to the Nets, in order to find a backcourt partner for Harden and Leonard. Russell will not be part of the Nets' future plans after leaving the Lakers, and the Clippers can take this opportunity to trade for this excellent point guard with Mann and Tucker. This would allow Russell to play a sixth man role for the Clippers, helping to alleviate the pressure on Harden. Despite Russell's defensive shortcomings, it is believed that he can fully leverage his offensive strengths alongside defenders like Leonard, Little Jones, and Dunn. After all, Russell broke the Lakers' team record for three-pointers made last season. The Clippers currently need a versatile point guard who can handle Harden's ball distribution, initiate his own offense, and organize the team. Tyronn Lue can place Russell in the transition phase or pair him with Harden in the decisive moments. If Russell joins the Clippers, will he be able to help Harden and Leonard return to the Western Conference Finals? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!

The recent trade moves by the Lakers have shaken up the entire league. Starting with Russell's trade to the Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith and Milton, the Lakers' trade story has become increasingly interesting. Now, they have set their sights on Valanciunas from the Wizards, making things even more exciting. This time, the Lakers' trade actions seem unconventional. They first sent Russell away in exchange for two practical players, an operation that caught many fans off guard. In recent games, Finney-Smith and Milton's performances have indeed brought new vitality to the team, especially their contributions on the defensive end have made the coaching staff very satisfied. The Lakers' management's move is actually quite interesting. They did not immediately pursue big-name stars but instead focused on solidifying the team's overall strength. The team's atmosphere is now significantly better than before. The two new players have gelled well with their teammates, making the Lakers' rotation lineup more flexible. However, the Lakers are clearly not content to stop here. They are brewing a bigger trade, this time targeting Valanciunas of the Wizards. The Wizards are also interested in this trade, but they require at least one first-round draft pick, which caused the negotiations to stall temporarily. The Lakers' management seems to place great importance on Valanciunas. Even though the negotiations were temporarily put on hold, they did not give up on continuing communication. Recent news indicates that both sides have resumed contact, suggesting that the Lakers are really keen on finalizing this trade. Vincent's recent performance has indeed been eye-catching. He has been…

On January 3rd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues. In the recently concluded Eastern Conference matchup, the Bucks hosted the home game against the Nets, who are known for tanking. What was expected to be an easy victory turned out to be a surprising 113-110 upset for the Bucks, even with their three superstars on the court, and this happened while Simmons was resting. In this game, Russell, the new addition to the Nets, started and contributed 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 12 assists in 27 minutes. Adding to his debut performance against the Raptors with 22 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists, Russell has achieved an average of 10 assists in his first two games with the Nets, completely revitalizing the team's offensive system. Even the head coach couldn't help but praise Russell's passing vision and high-quality pick-and-roll plays, and core player Thomas also expressed that Russell's addition is great, as he has a high IQ and excels in both passing and shooting. Seeing Russell's immediate success after leaving, Lakers fans must be feeling very regretful. Pelinka traded Russell for Smith and Milton, whose combined debut scores were not even as high as Russell's average assists, causing doubts among the Lakers players about whether this trade was really beneficial. It's worth noting that this marks the second time Russell has been sent to the Nets by the Lakers. During the offseason, the management repeatedly used Russell as a bargaining chip, making it clear that the Lakers' future does not involve him. Therefore, there was much concern from the…

Here it is! The Third Giant! Can the Lakers Be Saved? As we all know, the Lakers have finally completed their first trade. They sent out Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks to acquire Finney-Smith and Milton from the Nets. This trade is widely regarded as a win for the Lakers, with The Athletic giving them an A- rating. Let's start with Russell. Under Redick this season, his starting position has been completely stripped away. His playing time has dropped to 26.3 minutes per game, averaging only 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, with a true shooting percentage of 53.7%. Therefore, it was not surprising that Russell was traded. Compared to the breakout season of Reeves this year, Russell's status in the team has been completely replaced. By trading Russell, the Lakers have further solidified Reeves' position in the team. This season, Reeves has almost played the best season of his career. He has played 27 games for the Lakers so far, starting in all of them, averaging 34.5 minutes per game, scoring 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1 steal, with a shooting percentage of 44.9% + 36.1%, and a true shooting percentage of 58.6%. In comparison, Reeves' stats over the past two years are as follows... 22-23 season: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3.4 assists 23-24 season: 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists This season, his scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals have all set new career highs. Looking at the stats, he is already at an All-Star level. So far this season, he has locked down the…

On December 31, it was reported that the Lakers and the Nets had reached a trade agreement, sending Russell to the Nets for the second time in exchange for Finney-Smith and Milton. In response, Yang Yi, a well-known domestic basketball commentator, expressed during a live broadcast that Lakers fans would soon regret the decision, asking, "Why did we trade away Russell?" Recently, the Lakers sent D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Milton. Famous basketball commentator Yang Yi commented: "It is expected that it won't be long before Lakers fans start shouting, 'Russell is great, why did we let him go?' Russell is an athlete who, when he was with the Lakers, many athletes were like this, especially in such a high-traffic team. When he was on your team, you didn't think he was good, you thought he wasn't that great, and you even scolded him frequently. After he left, you realized that he was actually quite important. People in Brooklyn still consider him an All-Star, it's all about psychology. Just as James mentioned earlier, now you've traded for Milton, who is a shooter, and Finney-Smith, who is known as a 3D player but is actually just average at 3-point shooting. The Lakers have always had the problem of having players who can defend but not shoot, or shooters who can't defend. Why are they unbalanced? It's because those who can shoot can't defend, and those who can defend can't shoot. So by bringing in two such players, especially one…

The trade between the Lakers and the Nets has been completed. In yesterday's game against the Cavaliers, newcomers Finney-Smith and Milton made their debuts for the Lakers, performing well enough to satisfy the fans. Today, in the game between the Nets and the Raptors, Russell also made his return debut with the Nets, delivering an even more impressive performance. In this game, the Nets achieved what they wanted: to keep the score close in the first three quarters to attract fans, then suddenly collapse in the fourth quarter, losing 113-130. The Nets' goal is clear: to tank, secure a higher draft pick, and focus on the future. How to lose in a spectacular way is an art. Russell doesn't care about that. His goal is to get better stats so he can get a better offer after his contract year and make more money. In this game, Russell came off the bench for 26 minutes, shooting 9 of 13 from the field, including a perfect 7 of 7 from two-point range, efficiently contributing 22 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks, a very eye-catching performance. The last time Russell was traded from the Lakers to the Nets, he went all out, making it directly into the All-Star Game lineup, which was also his only All-Star Game appearance in his NBA career so far, and the source of his first big contract. This time, back with the Nets again, will Russell be able to make it to the All-Stars again? Coincidentally, Russell met an old acquaintance on the Nets' bench:…