Lakers Acquire Finney-Smith, Shake Milton

The Detroit Pistons have signed Ron Harper Jr. and Tolu Smith to Two-Way contracts while waiving Alondes Williams and Cole Swider, with Harper having averaged 13.1 points in the G League and Smith 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers' trade strategy appears to be shifting as they focus more on enhancing speed and athleticism rather than acquiring a traditional center ahead of the trade deadline. Following the recent acquisitions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, the Lakers are reportedly prioritizing dynamic play over size, despite previous links to players like Jonas Valanciunas and Walker Kessler. The Lakers are currently enjoying a successful stretch, sitting fifth in the Western Conference, and may opt for a wait-and-see approach before making further trades. Rival executives believe the Lakers will avoid spending their limited draft capital on players that could slow down their fast-paced game, emphasizing the need for agility over size. Overall, the Lakers seem to be aligning their roster to suit their playing identity, which has been bolstered by their recent performances.