Dwight Howard isn’t a fan of the recent trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
As explained by Fastbreak’s Ben Stinar, 28-year-old D’Angelo Russell, who helped lead the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals for the 2022-23 season, returns to the Nets where he had a standout season in 2019. He will be joined by Maxwell Lewis, 22.
Dorian Finney-Smith, 31, and Shake Milton, 28, will head to the Lakers.
The move sparked some mixed reactions, including from 39-year-old Howard who responded to the news during a recent Instagram Live.
"DLo went to the Nets? Ah, he went back to the Nets. What’s going on, NBA? What's going on, Lakers?,” said the former Laker. “LeGM made the decision. LeGM said that's enough, DLo”
“LeGM,” of course, likely refers to LeBron James’ influence on the Lakers.
"For Finney-Smith? They traded DLo for Finney-Smith? Lakers, let me be the doggone GM. They just be doing anything,” he added.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka issued a statement on Sunday, sending good wishes to Russell and Lewis while also welcoming Finney-Smith and Milton.
"We want to thank D’Angelo for his second stint with us, where we celebrated some great moments and accomplishments on the court together. We want to wish him and Maxwell Lewis well in their future endeavors with the Brooklyn Nets," wrote Pelinka, via NBA insider Michael Scotto.
He continued, "With this trade, 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."