The Los Angeles Lakers made a big move in December, dealing away point guard D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis along with three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The move brought the Lakers a much-needed defensive-minded wing, though it did cost them Russell who had played an important role for the team since being acquired at the 2023 trade deadline.
It took some time for Russell to settle in to his role with the Lakers next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he had one of the best years of his career in 2024 and garnered praise from teammates and coaches for how he had handled his switch to a sixth man role this season.