Skip Bayless Reveals His Grade For Lakers, Nets Trade

For months, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to various players in the trade market.

The Lakers remained silent in free agency this past summer, and after 30 games of the 2024-25 NBA season, it was clear that they needed to make a move to better balance the roster.

Following a recent stretch of strong performances, Los Angeles’ general manager Rob Pelinka finally pulled the trigger on a deal after dealing away D’Angelo Russell in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

The Lakers also sent out Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks, giving the Nets even more future draft capital to work with to accelerate their rebuild.

It’s a move that makes sense for both sides as Los Angeles gets the wing defender it desperately needed while Brooklyn recoups picks and saves on long-term money.

People like Skip Bayless immediately reacted to the deal, and he gave it a positive grade via his personal X account.

“I like the Laker trade if only for addition by subtraction. They got rid of DRuss’s $18 mil contract, and LeBron never trusted his way-up, way-down play. Finney-Smith brings trustable 3&D. And I’ve always loved Shake – he can microwave off bench. Grade: B,” Bayless tweeted.

I like the Laker trade if only for addition by subtraction. They got rid of DRuss's $18 mil contract, and LeBron never trusted his way-up, way-down play. Finney-Smith brings trustable 3&D. And I've always loved Shake – he can microwave off bench. Grade: B.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 29, 2024

As Bayless mentioned, Los Angeles cashed in on Russell’s expiring deal for two players who can contribute immediately.

It isn’t necessarily a blockbuster move, but it does give the Lakers more lineup versatility and additional quality role players to lengthen their rotation the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs.

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