D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn in a surprising mid-season shake-up, with the Lakers sending the former All-Star guard to his old stomping grounds.
The deal sees Russell returning to the team where he had his best season as a pro, making the All-Star team in 2019 while leading the Nets to the playoffs.
It’s been quite a journey for the 28-year-old guard. After starting his career with the Lakers, Russell found his groove in Brooklyn from 2017-19, before bouncing around to Golden State and Minnesota, and then making his way back to LA last year.
“Welcome back to Brooklyn D’Angelo Russell ” fans were quick to post on social media, remembering his electric performances during his first stint with the team.
But this season hasn’t been kind to Russell. He’s putting up just 12.4 points per game – well below his usual numbers – while coming off the bench in most games for the Lakers.
The Lakers aren’t walking away empty-handed though. They’re getting Dorian Finney-Smith, who’s having a career year shooting the ball. The veteran forward is knocking down 44% of his three-pointers this season, which could really help LA’s spacing issues.
They’re also picking up Shake Milton, a solid backup guard who can provide some scoring punch off the bench.
Here’s what each team gets in the deal:
The Nets receive:
โข D’Angelo Russell
โข Maxwell Lewis
โข Three future second-round picks
The Lakers get:
โข Dorian Finney-Smith
โข Shake Milton
Both Finney-Smith and Milton might suit up as soon as Tuesday when the Lakers face the Cavs, though they’re currently listed as day-to-day while getting settled with their new team.
For Brooklyn, this move feels like a bet on Russell recapturing some of that 2019 magic, when he led them to their first playoff appearance in four years. For the Lakers, it’s about adding reliable veterans who can help right now.
