The real reason the Lakers traded D'Angelo Russell to the Nets

After years of trade rumors that spanned two entire offseasons, the Los Angeles Lakers finally traded polarizing point guard D'Angelo Russell. The Lakers traded Russell back to the Brooklyn Nets alongside Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

Russell is a well-known name in the league whose name value never quite matched his market value. While the deal may seem lopsided in favor of the Nets on paper to some, the Lakers did well considering the trade market and what the team needs moving forward.

Finney-Smith gives the Lakers a three-and-D wing who can replace Russell's offensive output in a different way. This puts more of the secondary creation onus behind LeBron James on Austin Reaves, but the addition of Milton in the deal will lessen that burden. Overall, this trade creates a more complementary roster, even if Russell was the most talented player in the trade.

But all of this may not even be the main reason why the Lakers made the deal. While the team has seemingly wanted to move on from D'Lo for months, the main motivation may not have been a slightly better basketball fit. Instead, which is now common in today's NBA, the main motivation may have been financial.

D'Angelo Russell trade has massive impact on Lakers' financial situation

Trading Russell gives the Lakers more room to make other rooms around the core group of guys because of the added room under the second apron. Los Angeles was never going to go over the second apron and with such limited space, finding trades that actually improved the team was easier said than done.

Now, with more room under the second apron, the Lakers could theoretically have an easier time upgrading Gabe Vincent via trade. Perhaps someone like Jonas Valanciunas, who has been tied to the Lakers already, is more obtainable now for Los Angeles.

This trade also saves the Lakers money this season, which is important context to remember. Despite being one of the most valuable franchises in the league, the Lakers have operated at times like a mom-and-pop shop with limited funds.

The Lakers saved $11.2 million in luxury tax payments by making these trade even though the payroll was slashed by less than $4 million. So even if this is a lateral move at best basketball-wise, there is no doubt that ownership approved the move as it saved them seven-figures.

This trade alone is not going to make the Lakers a title contender this season, but it could be the first domino in a slurry of moves that could lead to something bigger. It is at least a step in the right direction for the Lakers, who are finally doing something to shake the roster up, even if the main reason wasn't tied to basketball at all.