"Just what the Lakers needed!" - Elated Magic Johnson backs Rob Pelinka's move of trading D'Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith

After not making any alterations to their roster in the offseason, the LA Lakers decided to acquire reinforcements before the trade deadline. Following news of their latest move, one NBA legend was quick to applaud Rob Pelinka and the front office.

On Sunday afternoon, reports emerged of a trade between LA and the Brooklyn Nets. They've acquired veterans Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton in exchange for D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and multiple second-round picks.

Once news of this trade hit social media, many people in and around the NBA gave their thoughts. Among those to do so was Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson. He is a big fan of the trade and feels like Pelinka brought in the exact kinds of players the Lakers needed.

"Laker Nation, I am so excited about the trade for Dorian Finney-Smith. He’s an excellent defender and 3-point shooter - just what the Lakers needed!"

This trade officially marks the end of Russell's second stint with the franchise that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2015. He now returns to the Nets, the team he got his lone All-Star nod with back in 2019.

Acquiring Finney-Smith and Milton should aid LA as they look to remain near the top of the Western Conference standings. They currently sit in fifth place with an 18-13 record.

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Fans dig up old tweet of LA Lakers coach JJ Redick praising Dorian Finney-Smith

Magic Johnson isn't the only person likely elated from the LA Lakers trade. Not long after the deal was announced, fans dug up an old post from head coach JJ Redick.

Back in 2022, Redick made a post on X/Twitter praising Dorian Finney-Smith. Now, he'll have a chance to coach the versatile forward.

Ironically enough, both the players the Lakers brought in already have a previous connection to their new head coach. Finney-Smith and Milton were teammates with Redick during his final years in the NBA. He first played with Milton on the Philadelphia 76ers, then with Finney-Smith during his brief run with the Dallas Mavericks.

It's no surprise to see Redick be a fan of DFS, as he is the kind of player who can fit on any team. He is an above-average defender on the wing and is able to provide a lift on the offensive end with his outside shooting. Before being traded, Finney-Smith was averaging 10.4 points while converting 43.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

As for Milton, he is another efficient outside shooter. Seeing that his game would best fit that of a combo guard, he also makes sense for LA as a secondary ballhandler and shot-creator alongside LeBron James.

These players are far from flashy, but their playstyles should result in them being solid complementary pieces for LA moving forward.