It is generally agreed that the Los Angeles Lakers still have two real roster needs: a defensive-minded center and a ball-handling guard who can create pace, hit 3-pointers and be an adequate defender, at the very least.

Smith, the other shoe is waiting to drop. Recent NBA trade rumors link Lakers to $70 million center that no one wants

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz were involved in a deal surrounding Jazz center Walker Kessler over the summer. Although those talks fell through, any possible revisiting is not likely to happen.

Dec 19, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) walks towards the team bench during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

On Sunday, it was announced that the Lakers' D'Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis would be traded to the Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

Here are the trade grades for the Brooklyn Nets trading Dorian Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for D'Angelo Russell.