According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith.

The entire trade is Los Angeles sending Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks for Brooklyn’s Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Brooklyn will be getting the Lakers’ 2027, 2030, and 2031 second-rounders.

Finney-Smith is highly regarded this season with his career-high three-point percentage (44%) and a very impressive 3-and-D player. The Lakers needed a player like him, and they were able to land him.

About $15 million was saved by the Lakers through this trade. Luxury tax flexibility was one of the biggest highlights of this deal. Even the Nets were able to get clean salaries in return.

Finney-Smith, who is 31, is in his final season before having to decide between opting into his player option or not. If he opts in, he’ll make $15.3 million.

Maxwell, who is 22, is in the second season of his rookie contract. Currently, he is making $1.8 million for this season. A club option is included in this deal, which appears in 2026-27.

Milton, who is 28, is in the first season of his three-year contract worth $9.1 million. This season, he is making $2.8 million. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2027-28.

Russell, who is 28, is on an expiring contract. Earlier in the offseason, he opted into his $18.6 million player option. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

The Lakers are 18-13 on the season, with the Nets being 12-20.

Dejounte Murray, D’Angelo Russell Trade Being Discussed

The Atlanta Hawks have been the center of attention lately, with them wanting to get rid of Dejounte Murray, making a lot of teams ready to scoop him up. With all the competition for Murray, the Los Angeles Lakers are making moves and already discussing trade packages.

Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, both sides want to swap guards in this interesting package. Los Angeles would give Atlanta Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-rounder, and some other draft assets. Atlanta would give up just Murray.

It’s also been reported the Lakers are making Austin Reaves untouchable, and the Hawks are making Trae Young untouchable.

Buha said while talks have stalled out, they’re expected to pick back up closer to teams getting to this season’s trade deadline. Rob Pelinka is taking this time before the deadline to assess if moves need to be done and, if so, make some according to their needs.

D’Angelo Russell Day-To-Day With Hip Injury

D’Angelo Russell Day-To-Day With Hip Injury

The Lakers will continue to be without D’Angelo Russell due to his sore right hip injury, Los Angeles has him listed as day-to-day.

He aggravated his hip in their game against the Phoenix Suns, he has missed one game so far with this injury. However, the team still won the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Russell has now missed seven games since getting traded to the Lakers.