Nets have 31 NBA draft picks after D’Angelo Russell trade; Updated roster and salary cap | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

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The Brooklyn Nets traded veteran power forward Dorian Finney-Smith for a familiar face on Sunday.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Nets dealt Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for point guard D’Angelo Russell, 22-year-old forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks.

As Brooklyn continues to build toward the future, ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted that the team now has 15 first-round picks and 16 second-round selections over the next seven years.

Bobby Marques @BobbyMarks42

The net return on the Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith exchange is 5 seconds.
Brooklyn now has 31 draft picks over the next 7 years
First: 15
Seconds: 16 https://t.co/W868aHysa7

After adding in Russell’s expiring $18.7 million contract and Lewis’ $1.9 million salary for the 2024-25 season, the Nets are now $677,000 below the luxury tax and have of $1.9 million in space to operate under the first apron (via Marks).

Bobby Marques @BobbyMarks42

For Brooklyn
D’Angelo Russell has an expiring $18.7 million contract.
He has $700,000 in improbable bonuses that count towards the apron.
Maxwell Lewis: $1.9M and $2.2M (NGTY)
Below tax: $677,000
Under the 1st apron: $1.9 million

Here’s what Brooklyn’s depth chart looks like after Sunday’s move:

PG: D’Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons, Reece Beekman

SG: Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams, Keon Johnson

SF: Cameron Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Maxwell Lewis

PF: Noah Clowney, Trendon Watford, Cameron Johnson

C: Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney

Russell has already spent two years with the Nets, making the only All-Star appearance of his career in Brooklyn during the 2018-19 season.

In 29 appearances with the Lakers this year, he averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game with shooting splits of 41.5/33.3/84.9.

Russell will be 29 at the end of the regular season, meaning he doesn’t fit the timeline of a rebuilding Nets team and could leave in free agency. Charania noted Sunday that Brooklyn will have more than $60 million in cap space in the 2025 offseason and could target free agents who fit young players such as Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney.

Lewis was selected by the Lakers with a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, playing sparingly throughout the first two seasons of his career. He has only been on the court for a total of 29 minutes in seven appearances during his 2024-25 campaign, scoring four points on 2-6 shooting.

Brooklyn has focused on distributing veteran contributors for future draft capital amid a 12-19 start to the season.

The nets exchange point guard Dennis Schröder and a second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks on December 14.

Brooklyn may not be done making moves, as NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Wednesday that veteran sharpshooter Cam Johnson has drawn “considerable trade interest” from teams in the running.

The Nets increased their draft capital while freeing up more future cap space on Sunday, and they could shed another veteran before the Feb. 6 deadline.