NBA News: D’Angelo Russell reportedly traded to Nets; Lakers Get Finney-Smith, More | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 16: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a play-in tournament game at the Smoothie King Center on April 16, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

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The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Shams Charania of ESPN provided the details, which included Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton returning to Los Angeles:

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a trade that sends D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, sources told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V175zGtmKW

Russell spent parts of the past three seasons in LA. He exercised the $18.7 million option in his contract to remain with the Lakers through the summer.

After Russell signed up, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers were “expected to be aggressive” in finding a trade partner.

Russell is an NBA veteran who has enjoyed two stints with the Lakers, as well as time with the Nets, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

He was originally the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Lakers, but it wasn’t until he went to Brooklyn that he really broke out, being named an All-Star for the first and only time in his time . career in 2018-19, averaging 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 three-pointers and 1.2 steals per game. game.

The Lakers reacquired Russell in a trade with the T-Wolves during the 2022-23 season, and he helped LA return to the Western Conference Finals.

Last season was one of the best of Russell’s career in terms of efficiency, as he averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game. game while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and a career-best 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.

In 29 appearances this season, Russell has averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.

Given Russell’s uncertain role and declining numbers, there has been plenty of speculation about major roster changes and his status with the Lakers as this season has developed.

With the Lakers sending Russell to the Nets, the supporting cast around James and Davis now looks completely different.

Going forward, the guard will have an opportunity to put up big numbers again like he did during his first stint with Brooklyn, especially if he assumes a bigger role for the rest of the 2024-2025 campaign ahead of a return to free agency.