The NBA landscape was notably altered on Sunday with a pivotal trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the first major transaction of the 2024-25 season. The Lakers successfully acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Milwaukee Bucks, a player that the Bucks had targeted for their roster. In exchange, the Lakers sent D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets. This trade has sparked a range of reactions, particularly from former Bucks guard Patrick Beverley, who voiced his opinions on social media.
Beverley, known for his candidness, expressed approval of the trade from the Nets’ perspective, emphasizing their successful acquisition of valuable draft picks amid a rebuilding phase. However, he was less enthusiastic about the Lakers' side of the deal, despite the addition of Finney-Smith and Shake Milton—two players who could make an immediate impact for the Lakers. Beverley himself has a complicated history with the Lakers, having joined the team in August 2022 before being traded to the Orlando Magic prior to the 2023 trade deadline.
As for the Milwaukee Bucks, they find themselves at a crossroads as they prepare for the upcoming trade deadline. While they possess star talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the team is in dire need of additional support, particularly in securing a robust two-way wing or enhancing their center position. However, the Bucks face significant challenges in making trades, as they currently have limited draft assets and are constrained by salary cap rules due to their position over the second apron. With only one first-round pick available for trade in 2031 and just one second-round pick, the path to strengthening their roster is fraught with difficulty. Nevertheless, the urgency to remain competitive while Antetokounmpo is still in his prime looms large over the franchise's decisions.
