Dec 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) defends Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
While the rumor mill had Rob Pelinka being patient regarding trades before the February 6 deadline, the Lakers caught everyone off guard sending D’Angelo Russell to the Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The Lakers got the wing depth they needed, sacrificing D-Lo, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks. The Lakers still have flexibility below the second apron to keep adding help to the roster, and Russell could agree to a buyout.
Check out some of the immediate reactions to the D-Lo trade.
In terms of the Nets’ rotation, they essentially swapped out Dennis Schröder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Shake Milton for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and heightened minutes for Noah Clowney over the last few weeks.
How much worse did they get? They did get 5 second rounders…
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) December 29, 2024
Will D’Angelo Russell play for Brooklyn? Russell is on an expiring contract that will pay him $18.7 million this season. Nets are full speed on the race to the bottom. A buyout wouldn’t be surprising.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 29, 2024
Expect D’Angelo Russell to be a prime buyout candidate after being traded to the Nets.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 29, 2024
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Social media reacts to Lakers trading D’Angelo Russell to Nets: ‘A prime buyout candidate’