"Jeanie is cheap, and Rob the agent doesn't do s**t" - Lakers fans go wild after Dwight Howard's bold statement on LeBron James following D'Lo trade

LeBron James' LA Lakers traded sixth man D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. While many praised LA for its return, according to ex-Laker Dwight Howard, the move was made due to James' exasperation with the combo guard. Howard added that he could have secured a better haul as general manager, dividing Lakers fans.

Along with Russell, LA sent sophomore wing Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. In return, it landed two-way forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Finney-Smith is widely regarded as one of the league's top 3-and-D role players, shooting 43.5% from 3-point range, with the ability to guard every position. Conversely, during Russell's Lakers tenure, he served as a streaky offensive-minded player, whose cold spells regularly frustrated fans.

On Monday, Howard reacted to the deal on Instagram Live. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year credited James for orchestrating it, citing his irritation with Russell.

"LeGM made the decision," Howard said. "LeGM said, 'It's enough, D'Lo.'"

However, Howard seemingly wasn't a fan of the move for LA, adding that he should be hired as GM instead.

"For Finney-Smith? They traded D'Lo for Finney-Smith?" Howard said. "Lakers, just let me be the doggone GM. They just be doing anything. ... I have no idea why they traded D'Lo."

Many fans on X/Twitter agreed with Howard's take about the Lakers' trade motive, noting that he understands how LeBron James operates.

"Dwight Howard knows how it works," @dgsire said.

"He's not wrong," @playoffsportsnw wrote.

Meanwhile, others agreed that the eight-time All-Star could outperform the Lakers' front office.

"Nah, because if he was controlling s**t, they would have more chips because of better rosters. Jeanie (Buss) is cheap, and Rob (Pelinka) the agent doesn't do s**t," @KingSmoove009 said.

However, others pushed back against Howard, accusing him of hating on his former teammate.

"Hater energy," @DirectorDiggz wrote.

"Dwight needs to chill. LeGM got him his ring. Be grateful," @JBRVA10 said.

"That's why you ain't in the league. ... Always going on podcasts begging to come back to the Lakers. STFU," @LeLaker wrote.

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LeBron James' Lakers reportedly more confident in Dorian Finney-Smith's playoff outlook than D'Angelo Russell's

Dwight Howard may believe LeBron James was responsible for the D'Angelo Russell trade. However, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, LA's front office is enamored by Dorian Finney-Smith's skill set.

Per the insider's Sunday report, the organization is more confident in Finney-Smith's ability to make a positive playoff impact than Russell's.

"Ultimately, this move was about better positioning the Lakers for the playoffs as much as anything," Buha wrote. "Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the Lakers are confident Finney-Smith is a playoff-caliber rotation player for a good team. The same couldn't be said for Russell."

Buha added that it was a "masterstroke" from Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to acquire Finney-Smith without surrendering a first-round pick. So, it appears the franchise landed one of its top trade targets at a relative bargain ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

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