Nets lose heartbreaker after latest swap

Re-acquire Russell during one-point defeat in Orlando

December 31, 2024 John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Nets got former All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell back in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. AP Photo by Jeff Chiu

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The Nets are in the process of dealing off veteran pieces, losing players to injury and suffering gut-wrenching defeats, even in games in which they’ve actually found a way to compete during this rebuilding year.

At least they got a former Brooklyn All-Star guard back in their latest swap, even if it was during their latest heartbreaking loss.

D’Angelo Russell’s return to the franchise was officially announced during the first half of Sunday afternoon’s 102-101 soul-crusher to the Orlando Magic in front of 19,397 fans at the Kia Center, the Nets’ 10th defeat in the last 13 games.

And this time, they found a way to blow a 21-point lead against one of the Eastern Conference’s better teams.

The Los Angeles Lakers originally traded Russell to the Nets (12-20) in 2017, only two years after he was selected second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Now, they’re sending him back to the East Coast, along with forward Maxwell Lewis and a trio of future second-round picks, for power forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Russell, a speedy 6-foot-3 playmaker in his 10th season, averaged 19.0 points, 6.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game during his two campaigns in Brooklyn.

He has since made stops in Golden State and Minnesota before returning to L.A. during the 2022-23 season.

“We want to thank D’Angelo for his second stint with us, where we celebrated some great moments and accomplishments on the court together,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said.

“We are thrilled to add the physicality, toughness and elite shooting that Dorian Finney-Smith will bring to our core. We also greatly value the playmaking of Shake Milton. We are excited for our fans to get both of these players out on the court.”

Nets forward Jalen Wilson (right) put up 16 points, but Brooklyn blew a 21-point lead in a loss in Orlando on Sunday. AP Photo by Kevin Kolczynski

Russell shone brightest on the Barclays Center stage in 2018-19, averaging a then-career-high 21.1 points and 7.0 assists to earn the Nets’ only All-Star nod that year.

His veteran presence should help a sporadic offense that relied heavily on point guard Dennis Schröder, who was dealt to the Warriors earlier this month.

Brooklyn could have used Russell during its epic fourth-quarter collapse in Orlando (20-14) Sunday.

Despite opening a 97-80 cushion on Jalen Wilson’s 25-footer with 7:16 to play, the Nets watched helplessly as the Magic put up 20 of the next 22 points.

Wilson drained a pair from the line to put Brooklyn back in front, 101-100, but Orlando’s Cole Anthony sank a 3-footer in the lane with 1.1 ticks remaining on the clock to settle matters.

Cam Thomas, making his long-awaited return after being shelved since Nov. 25 with a hamstring injury, tried to answer.

However, his 20-footer at the buzzer only grazed the rim, leaving the Nets to ponder the next two stops on their three-game road trip, beginning with a New Year’s Day stop in Toronto.

“We had zero effort, zero focus,” lamented Nets rookie coach Jordi Fernández following the collapse.

“We just needed one more grown-up to bring the guys together, and calm everybody down, and execute on the defensive end, and win the game. And it didn’t happen.”

Thomas should pair well with Russell in Brooklyn’s backcourt. The team’s leading scorer came back with a flourish, putting up a game-high 25 points and handing out six assists in only 25 minutes off the bench.

“It’s definitely good to be back on the court playing — definitely,” noted Thomas.

“But still, to my standards, I think I still need a few more games to get back into the game flow, get game reps,” he added. “Some of the shots I was missing today — I don’t normally miss those.”

Wilson finished with 16 points, Keon Johnson had 14 and Noah Clowney added 13 for the Nets, who have dropped two straight since rallying past the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays last Thursday.

Cam Johnson, likely the next Net to get dealt out of Brooklyn, only managed nine points on 3-of-9 shooting Sunday after putting up 54 points in the previous two contests.

Johnson left the hardwood in the fourth quarter against the Magic due to a sore left hip.

Tip-off Wednesday in Toronto is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Brooklyn dealt power forward Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Lakers Sunday for guard D’Angelo Russell and a trio of draft picks. AP Photo by Pamela Smith

NOTHING BUT NET: Finney-Smith, acquired in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to Dallas in 2023, was a consistent presence in the Brooklyn lineup. In 114 games as a Net, he averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He was netting 10.4 points and 4.6 boards per contest this year … Milton was beginning to find his groove in Brooklyn with more playing time. He put up 7.4 points while logging 18.2 minutes over 27 appearances, including one start … Lewis, a two-way player spending time with L.A.’s G-League affiliate the past two seasons, only participated in seven games for the Lakers this year … After visiting the Raptors, the Nets will have a quick turnaround in Milwaukee on Thursday. Orlando took all four meetings from Brooklyn this season.