In the trade, the Lakers give up two players who will be free agents in the summer. Russell is in the final year of his contract, for which he will earn $18 million, and Lewis ($1.891 million) has one year left but is a team option. Brooklyn is in the midst of a rebuilding process.
Finney-Smith, somewhat older at 31, is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for Jordi Fernandez’s team. He joined the Nets in the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023.
The Lakers, however, receive players on a more medium-term basis. Finney-Smith, almost $15 million this year, has one more year than player option and could activate or go to the free agent market, but Milton ($2.875 million), has two more years left on his contract for which he will receive $3 million in each of them.
