Since elevating young 3-and-D swingman Max Christie into their starting five, the 20-15 Los Angeles Lakers have gone 8-4. The club's improvement is also a credit to its trade to acquire another 3-and-D wing,

Plus, a Detroit connection, the boxout of the year (courtesy of the Knicks) and a reigning conference finalist is caught in the middle.

"The Lakers land a versatile, 3-and-D addition with Dorian Finney-Smith, who is shooting a career-high 44% from 3-point land. L.A. also creates salary and luxury tax flexibility, saving $15 million. Nets receive draft capital and clean salaries in return."