The LA Lakers roster has changed dramatically over the course of the past two months.
There was a feeling early in the season that the LA Lakers needed to make some changes. Even with the combined brilliance of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the continued emergence of Austin Reaves, the team still had some bad results.
One player who was heavily criticized at times was D’Angelo Russell, who was dropped from the starting line-up early in the season by new coach JJ Redick, due to his poor defensive contribution.
Russell took the decision in a mature way, insisting he was comfortable making an impact from the bench. This did not stop the Lakers trading him at the earliest possible opportunity in December.
The most significant trade conducted by the LA Lakers was the franchise altering decision swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic.
This has set the team on a new timeline longer term, and may yet pay off short-term too, partnering the Slovenian with LeBron James.
But their task together would be even harder if the D’Angelo Russell and Dorian Finney-Smith trade had not gone ahead.
Finney-Smith has been a real asset to the Lakers, adding a defensive contribution beyond anything Russell could offer the team.
Speaking to the Bill Simmons podcast, Ryen Russillo praised this trade as having a big impact, noting the great work he did in the win over the Nuggets.
Russillo said: “Dorian Finney-Smith, who by the way, like we hadn’t even mentioned yet for the defensive part of what they’ve done.
“Huge getting D’Angelo Russell away from this basketball team. I try to tell you guys, Lakers fans.
“I know, I get it. He makes a couple threes and you guys are super into that. But getting him away from this group has also been a big transition from who they are right now.
“I feel bad we didn’t even mention Dorian Finney-Smith [until] this point. I mean he made one shot last night and he was a plus 20.”
D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for the second time by the LA Lakers. This made it easier for him to settle.
Lakers legend Byron Scott praised the trade at the time as benefiting all parties, with Russell claiming he able to play with more freedom in Brooklyn.
Finney-Smith has been a great addition. He previously played with Luka Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks and is helping the Slovenian star to settle off the court, in addition to helping on it.
The Lakers defense has improved since the start of the season, testament to JJ Redick’s coaching, and the move to send Russell away, and acquire Finney-Smith sums up the change in style succinctly.
