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.

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks commended Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka for getting a deal done.