There is no need to go into the full story here as anyone who has kept up with the team knows the initial optimism around Russell's return proved to be fool's gold. The veteran guard found himself shipped away during the 2024-25 season in the trade that brought Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have only made one trade this year so far. They decided to ship out D'Angelo Russell in return for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Milton has already fallen out of the rotation in Los Angeles. Finney-Smith has played in eight games since coming over in the trade and finally looks like he's getting comfortable.

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.