When the Los Angeles Lakers completed their first trade of the 2024-25 season, all eyes inevitably turned to Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith functions as the 3-and-D specialist the Lakers have long been searching for, and has thus become the appropriate focal point of the rotation-altering deal.
One of the less publicized elements of the trade, however, was the loss of the second unit's primary shot creator and playmaker—making Shake Milton far more than just a throw-in.
Milton was something of an afterthought in the immediate aftermath of the trade that sent Finney-Smith to Los Angeles. Most were focused on either Finney-Smith or the departing D'Angelo Russell, as well as the three future second-round picks that the Lakers shipped out to the Brooklyn Nets.
With Russell no longer on the roster, however, Milton has a chance to make an immediate impact and secure a consistent spot in the rotation.
Swapping Russell for Finney-Smith was a wise decision, as the Lakers were in desperate need of help along the defensive perimeter. Losing Russell means playing without the second unit's primary playmaker and shot creator, however, which has inevitably created a void.
All eyes will be on Gabe Vincent to address this issue, but there will be every opportunity for Milton to become the unexpected key arrival in a trade that seemed to center around Finney-Smith.
Shake Milton has a chance to make Lakers forget about D'Angelo Russell
Russell had polarizing tendencies, but he operated nonetheless as one of the most important players in the rotation. The Lakers' second unit has been devoid of offensive consistency in 2024-25, but Russell has excelled as a rare exception.
Even with his fluctuating efficiency, Russell's place in the rotation has been that of a playmaker who can create offense for himself and others—and it's fair to question if there's another reserve who can do so.
Milton has a chance to fill the void that Russell will be leaving behind. He started the 2024-25 season slow, averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 assists through his first 12 appearances and shooting just 42.3 percent from the field.
Milton is averaging 11.2 points and 3.1 assists on .473/.389/.767 shooting over the past 15 games, however, including a 16-point and 12-assist showing in his most recent outing.
That type of production could prove essential to a Lakers team that lacks ideal guard depth off the bench. That's specific to the point guard position, where new No. 1 player Gabe Vincent is currently averaging 4.3 points and 0.9 assists per game.
Vincent has stepped up in recent weeks, shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc in December, but Milton has a unique skill set relative to the Lakers' reserves.
Milton is more than capable of knocking down an open shot, as evidenced by his mark of 40.0 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. The primary reason for intrigue, however, is how willing he is to attack a mismatch and either pull up from midrange or get to the rim.
It's unfair to put the weight of what Russell provided on Milton alone, but his skill set makes him uniquely qualified to step up and prove he's more than just a throw-in.