Rui Hachimura

Los Angeles will reportedly send Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to Washington.

Nunn plays only 13.5 minutes a night, and is superfluous in a guard rotation involving [Dennis Schröder](https://www.si.com/nba/player/dennis-schroder), [Russell Westbrook](https://www.si.com/nba/player/russell-westbrook), Austin Reaves and [Patrick Beverley](https://www.si.com/nba/player/patrick-beverley). It’s never great to be in a position to cut bait with a lottery pick. It’s a bad spot to be in for the Wizards. At least Washington seems to be in a realistic place about the roster moving forward, which is to say thinking about the long term as opposed to this season. My only real caution here—and it’s small—is the Lakers don’t have a plethora of chips to move around. And ultimately, the Lakers need all the rotation help they can get, especially when it comes to size and athleticism. Los Angeles [acquired forward Rui Hachimura](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35511046/sources-lakers-nearing-deal-wizards-rui-hachimura) from the Wizards on Monday, [per multiple reports](https://www.si.com/nba/2023/01/23/wizards-trade-rui-hachimura-lakers-kendrick-nunn-draft-picks). This grade more so reflects not being able to get it done with Hachimura than this trade itself, which for the Wizards is nothing more or less than a definitive “Meh.” The Lakers will send Washington guard [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.si.com/nba/player/kendrick-nunn) and three second-round picks in the deal. [Anthony Davis](https://www.si.com/nba/player/anthony-davis). [Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-lakers) are finally making moves. Still, his athleticism should be a nice fit in the frontline, and he can play alongside Davis whenever he returns.

The 2019 lottery pick is clearly a talent upgrade, but how will he fit with LeBron and company out west?

[Kyle Kuzma](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kyle-kuzma-7x2ASMz0sv4qdd7u/) continued to solidify his position on the team and eat up a ton of minutes with his excellent play, it became obvious Hachimura was going to struggle to find a role. [Wenyen Gabriel](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/wenyen-gabriel-r8zgk7urDgmH0hNc/) (in decent minutes) and [Juan Toscano-Anderson](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/juan-toscano-anderson-EdadkV0srbvTOjpK/) at the four. [Draymond Green](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/draymond-green-qWchQbJAR0YQNMyV/) as best-case scenario because the [Nikola Jokić](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic-bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr/) thing isn’t happening again. The [Lakers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/lakers/) and [Wizards](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/wizards/) are making the first move, with 2019 top-10 pick [Rui Hachimura](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/rui-hachimura-qzSY3bocNkNzQ2KH/) heading to L.A. In the process of removing a logjam, the Wizards are acquiring three second-round picks. But they could lose him this summer and feel good about getting second-round picks from a team that right now doesn’t project to make those later in the draft any time soon. Losing out on three future second-round picks isn’t a massive loss if he were to leave, and they do have some control, but this feels like they’re just hoping their “program” is the one that unlocks Hachimura’s potential. The Lakers have a bunch of second-round picks to move, so it’s not like they’re completely bare when it comes to that area of the trade-asset pantry. Having [Thomas Bryant](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/thomas-bryant-dq4B2s0HiwRTR3cB/) back and thriving means Davis can play more at the four to preserve his body when he’s back, and there is history/familiarity with Bryant and Hachimura (former teammates) playing alongside each other. Have the Lakers backed themselves into a corner of needing to re-sign him? He’s not much of a defender, but if he can help get this team from 19th in offense to somewhere in the upper half of the league, that’ll be a nice pickup. If you’re able to play him next to [LeBron James](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/lebron-james-dxRvkEThnxpMbhcr/) and Davis at the same time, that’s a potentially good trio of forwards on offense.

Hachimura was the ninth overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played a ton in his first two seasons, starting 105 total games, but that number ...

Rui Hachimura and the Wizards did not agree on a rookie extension before the season started. Now he's reportedly off to the Lakers.

Hachimura is hitting 34% of his 3-point shots this season after hitting 44.7% last season, but he excels in the catch-and-shoot situations that are often created for James’ teammates by his penetration and playmaking. Nunn has averaged 6.7 points in 39 games this season, 37 of them in a reserve role, with wildly inconsistent contributions offensively. Hachimura will be reuniting with penetrating guard Russell Westbrook, his teammate in Washington during the 2020-21 season. … I just want to be somewhere that believes in me and I can be myself. And it would make sense that the Lakers would be seeking help. 4 in the West — with LeBron James averaging nearly 30 points per game and a belief that Anthony Davis will be back from injury sooner than later.

(AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring former lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a package of ...

New York – The Los Angeles Lakers finalized a deal to send guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks to the Washington Wizards to acquire ...

If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software.

The Lakers reportedly are picking up Wizards forward Rui Hachimura in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks.

Their 22-25 record puts them 12th in the West, though they are just one game back of ninth and 2.5 games back of fifth. They also traded a first-round pick, Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell to the Wizards in 2021 to acquire Russell Westbrook, leaving 2027 and 2029 as the only first-round picks at their disposal for trades right now. Washington selected Hachimura with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Los Angeles is sending Kendrick Nunn and 3 second-round picks to Washington in exchange for Hachimura.

We want to thank Kendrick Nunn and his family for his time as a Laker, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.” He has averaged 6.7 points in 39 games this season, 37 of them in a reserve role. “We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Rob Pelinka, vice president of basketball operations and general manager for the Lakers.

The first deal of the unofficial NBA trade season appears to complicate Los Angeles' offseason plans.

The Wizards also generated a $6.3 million trade exception in the process. While Nunn, his expiring contract, the future picks and the trade exception have ...

[Tyrese Maxey](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyrese-maxey-ZaAqNko77dWsPkHu/) (drafted 21st) is a highly coveted guard with [Philadelphia](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/sixers/). [San Antonio](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/spurs/) snagged forward [Keldon Johnson](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/keldon-johnson-Qxtxx7Hv9piN389t/) 29th. [Otto Porter Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/otto-porter-jr-YZArJyJYbXqwrxSC/), the third pick by the Wizards in 2013, turned out to be a solid rotation player. Without Kuzma in the fold, Hachimura would have received more playing time and [might not have wanted to be traded](https://theathletic.com/4113852/2023/01/22/rui-hachimura-possible-trade/). [Corey Kispert](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/corey-kispert-DE1k8wy3xzCO4rpO/) 15th, and Kispert has met expectations as a long-range shooter and floor-spacer. [John Wall](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/john-wall-Hi3iaXUQCSafuGlJ/) first overall in 2010 and [Bradley Beal](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bradley-beal-mb7gZfksSkvZCBxf/) third overall in 2012. [Tyler Herro](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyler-herro-nz3UBZ8kykifep4y/), the 2021-22 [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) Sixth Man of the Year, went 13th. [Golden State](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/warriors/) drafted guard [Jordan Poole](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jordan-poole-OKSId48WraP8pRNl/) 28th, and Poole is on the brink of stardom. [Tyrese Haliburton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyrese-haliburton-kd4uq1u3TjLLcGlB/), who was drafted three picks after Avdija, has grown into a likely All-Star point guard following a trade from Sacramento to Indiana. They could have chosen guard [Anfernee Simons](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/anfernee-simons-ktISGwwkceERHS8j/) instead. [Washington Wizards](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/wizards/) had a valuable opportunity to acquire a difference-making player. [Grant Williams](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/grant-williams-ZKR4PurwehHcDFw2/) lasted until No.

The Japanese forward and Tokyo 2020 Olympian is dealt from the Washington Wizards to LeBron James & Co. ahead of the trade deadline in his fourth NBA ...

They currently are 12th in the Western Conference, one game out of the play-in tournament. He was picked ninth overall in the 2019 draft out of Gonzaga University. ahead of the trade deadline in his fourth NBA season.

While there had been rumblings about Hachimura possibly getting traded, the actual deal came out of nowhere. So much so that even Lakers point guard Dennis ...

[LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/) should help in that regard. Early on Monday, they sent [Kendrick Nunn](/nba/players/2104256/kendrick-nunn/) and three future second-round picks to the [Washington Wizards](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/WAS/washington-wizards/) in exchange for fourth-year forward [Rui Hachimura](/nba/players/2268082/rui-hachimura/). As for this deal, Hachimura will give the Lakers some much-needed size and athleticism in the frontcourt and cost them very little in return. As Schroder's stream shows, most of the time other players are not in the loop on everything the front office is doing, so trades are just as much of a surprise to them. It's pretty rare to get a player's honest, initial reaction to a trade rather than a soundbite in the media hours later. The veteran was live streaming when news of the trade broke on social media.

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired former lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards on Monday in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a package of ...

Hachimura equaled a career high with 30 points for the Wizards on Saturday in his final game before the deal. Hachimura will be reuniting with penetrating guard Russell Westbrook, his teammate in Washington during the 2020-21 season. Hachimura is hitting 34% of his 3-point shots this season after hitting 44.7% last season, but he excels in the catch-and-shoot situations that are often created for James' teammates by his penetration and playmaking. Washington is 20-26 after signing star guard Bradley Beal to a big contract in the offseason, and the Wizards were 1 1/2 games behind the final play-in spot heading into Monday's games. ... I just want to be somewhere that believes in me and I can be myself. At 22-25, they’re in 12th place in the Western Conference, but entered Monday just two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No.

The Wizards traded former first-round pick Rui Hachimura to the Lakers with a focus on draft capital in the exchange.

Third-year forward Deni Avdija could also see his role increased, especially with his emergence as one of the team's best rebounders. The second-round picks will be in 2023, 2028 and 2029. Hachimura, 24, was a key bench player for the Wizards this season. The news broke Monday and ends a four-year tenure for Hachimura in Washington. with a host of former Washington players on the Lakers including Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown Jr. Hachimura will now reunite in L.A.

Some NBA franchises prefer to comfort the anxiety of their fan bases with rebuilding plans. They'll tank games and hoard high draft picks, as the Philadelphia ...

[signed Beal to the super-duper max](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/30/bradley-beal-wizards-free-agency/?itid=lk_inline_manual_28) — with a no-trade clause, mind you — and surrounded him with Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma. Instead of committing to a full rebuild, they’ll give Beal the keys to the kingdom but provide him little assistance outside of his best two teammates. The Wizards are making their stalemate seem more stimulating, at least, but in the end, they’re doing what they always do: nothing. [Jason Murray](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jason-murray/?itid=lk_inline_manual_30) or than anyone who is still paying to watch this team play. For now, however, he has scored 11 more points in the NBA than Washington Post NBA editor [Wizards’ Kristaps Porzingis is week-to-week with an ankle sprain Image without a caption By Ava Wallace](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/23/kristaps-porzingis-ankle-injury/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_29) As a rookie, Hachimura was expected to play alongside the team’s alpha, Bradley Beal. Still, he was expected to be more than the Wizards’ Japanese ambassador; he was supposed to plug into the rotation right away. “We were really, really fortunate last night to be able to draft Rui Hachimura,” President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard said at the time. Instead, generations of fans can join in on a near-annual game: “What Are the Wizards Doing?!?” We prefer to spend hours in front of our crazy walls, connecting red strings from the Issuf Sanon draft pick to the Isaiah Thomas era and trying to unearth the truth: Was taking Jan Vesely sixth overall in 2011 just a way to distract us from the government bugging our landlines — or at least from the previous year’s trade that somehow involved Kirk Hinrich and Mike Bibby? With this move, forget rooting for a shot for the play-in.

The Los Angeles Lakers have added Rui Hachimura to their roster after completing a trade for him from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn ...

I just want to be somewhere that believes in me and I can be myself. Despite only coming off the bench, Hachimura has been in good form this year, averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game. Having been unable to sign a rookie-deal contract extension, Hachimura would have become a restricted free agent at the end of this “And I want to be somewhere that likes my game … “I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,” the 2019 ninth overall draft pick out of Gonzaga told reporters on Saturday. Nunn was in his second season with the Lakers and his fourth in the NBA, but the shooting guard missed the entirety of last year with a knee injury and has only played a reserve role this season, averaging 6.7 points in 39 games.

At least one significant trade before the Feb. 9 deadline was necessary, for many reasons, to set things up both short- and long-term.

And [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kentavious-caldwell-pope-l5E2diAwkPs8PAta/). And [Dāvis Bertāns](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/dvis-bertns-0isdLTfkZ7z8J9Hb/). There’s a logjam in front of him at both guard positions with Beal, [Monte Morris](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/monte-morris-vyfw8vY2YWAG1PRb/), [Delon Wright](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/delon-wright-Gg1s5CSMSSrLhffm/) and [Jordan Goodwin](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jordan-goodwin-hYkBXuh5BVBbZBhB/), even with [Will Barton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/will-barton-4Jzk3ONiv7GocIOJ/) out of the rotation at present. [Kyle Kuzma](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kyle-kuzma-7x2ASMz0sv4qdd7u/) necessarily involved not extending Hachimura. [Russell Westbrook](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/russell-westbrook-6Eb0XPY16UzzJWbc/), Hachimura, [Thomas Bryant](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/thomas-bryant-dq4B2s0HiwRTR3cB/) and [Troy Brown Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/troy-brown-jr-VYZHoNMwJDDOVeZ0/) — on their roster. It thus behooves Washington to settle up with the Knicks as soon as possible, so it could potentially package earlier future firsts with players to trade for a difference-making talent to package with Beal (and, presumably, Kuzma and Porziņģis). Maybe the Lakers believe a similar renaissance is possible with the duo now reunited in Los Angeles.) Also, the three seconds — a 2023 second from L.A. The Wizards will need to clear a roster spot to be able to convert Goodwin’s contract. [the explosive offensive potential he showed in two seasons (2019-21) in Miami](https://theathletic.com/1344608/2019/11/06/aldridge-has-questions-on-iguodalas-destination-nunns-emergence-and-a-look-at-the-wizards-kings-and-rockets/). The Lakers now have four players from that team — 9 deadline was necessary to better set up things both in the short and long term.

The Lakers made the first notable move ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline on Monday.

So has [Bojan Bogdanovic](/nba/players/1831131/bojan-bogdanovic/). [Kyle Kuzma](/nba/players/2842826/kyle-kuzma/) has been discussed as a possibility. The Lakers have thus far solved that problem with the extremely undersized [Patrick Beverley](/nba/players/1685200/patrick-beverley/). If the Wizards can't create an internal support system for them soon, any facade of competitiveness this team hoped to maintain will fade quickly, and when it does, developing the young players they draft at the top of the lottery is going to be their only way of escaping the bottom of the standings. [LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/) and [Anthony Davis](/nba/players/1992786/anthony-davis/) have both missed a meaningful amount of time, and both were essential in defending opposing forwards. [Troy Brown Jr.](/nba/players/2938055/troy-brown-jr/), a 6-foot-6 wing who started his career as a guard, has played nearly half of his minutes at power forward. [based on listed heights](https://en.hispanosnba.com/teams/comparison), the shortest team in the [NBA](/nba/) this season. The Lakers need a great trade to get into the championship picture. Hachimura is averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds this season and matched a season-high with 30 points against the [Magic](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/ORL/orlando-magic/) over the weekend. Last season, they found [Stanley Johnson](/nba/players/2152248/stanley-johnson/) on the scrap heap and got meaningful production. "I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player, and I want to be somewhere that likes my game," he Lately, standout role players [Austin Reaves](/nba/players/2268681/austin-reaves/) and [Lonnie Walker IV](/nba/players/2938054/lonnie-walker-iv/), who have also defended wings, have been out due to injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Wizards forward Rui Hachimura on Monday and our Sam Quinn gave the move an A- for L.A., if only because the Lakers didn't ...

Hachimura has the potential to be the best of that bunch and perhaps the most meaningful spacer in closing lineups that will likely continue to include [Russell Westbrook](/nba/players/1622555/russell-westbrook/). [Luka Doncic](/nba/players/2900426/luka-doncic/), both in the half court and transition. If he does, and especially if it comes at a higher volume, the Lakers just picked up a real two-way contributor on the cheap. Hachimura made 44 percent of his 3s last season, but he's down to 33 percent this season on pretty low volume. In fact, he's making 42 percent of his wide-open 3s this season. [Wizards](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/WAS/washington-wizards/) fan, you're more familiar with Hachimura's name than his game.

The 2019 lottery pick has holes in his game, but there's a path to some success with this current Lakers group.

He still has a lot to prove, and the level he showed in Washington is not worth wrecking their flexibility. It’s hard for me to believe someone who is this disparate in terms of his base from one shot to the next is going to have a ton of consistency in the moments that matter most. [Memphis Grizzlies](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/grizzlies/) second-rounder in 2024 and their own 2025 and 2027 second-rounders. [Thomas Bryant](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/thomas-bryant-dq4B2s0HiwRTR3cB/) — a serviceable backup big who spaces the floor but not one who is out there creating his own shot. Hachimura gets a wide open 3 from the top of the key because Randle is helping down onto Porziņģis in the middle of the floor. The combination of not passing in addition to being very midrange-heavy leads to maddening possessions such as the one below, where Hachimura just decides to put his head down with 15 seconds left on the shot clock and drive into the brick house known as [Julius Randle](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/julius-randle-ZOBqK4RMFKL7YI2Q/). They’re a below-average rebounding team and don’t force any turnovers, and it feels like the defense is not as disruptive as it should be because the gaps and spaces for opposing teams driving are just a little bit longer. [Kyle Kuzma](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kyle-kuzma-7x2ASMz0sv4qdd7u/), who is having a terrific year. The Wizards’ net rating as a team was consistently worse with Hachimura on the floor than when he was off it, according PBPStats.com. [Bradley Beal](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bradley-beal-mb7gZfksSkvZCBxf/) has only taken about 40 percent of his half-court shots from the midrange. 17](https://theathletic.com/1020711/2019/06/17/sam-vecenie-big-board-version-8-0-final-ranking-and-tiers-of-the-top-120-draft-prospects-on-his-board/) on my final board for the 2019 NBA Draft. Hachimura can get to the rim attacking closeouts, out in transition and posting up mismatches.

Oklahoma City could use help in the frontcourt, with Washington having a young forward that could be on the market.

However, these types of trades happen every year as teams want to explore talent and are willing to take a look at a new member of the roster. On the season, Bazley is averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds to go along with a block per contest. You can also [meet the team](https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/si-thunder-meet-the-team) behind the coverage. To be clear, Bazley has been solid this season, especially on the defensive end. However, if Oklahoma City doesn't plan on bringing him back, it makes sense to trade him now. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are likely to not make a move ahead of Feb.

While there had been rumblings about Hachimura possibly getting traded, the actual deal came out of nowhere. So much so that even Lakers point guard Dennis ...

[LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/) should help in that regard. On Monday, they sent [Kendrick Nunn](/nba/players/2104256/kendrick-nunn/) and three future second-round picks to the [Washington Wizards](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/WAS/washington-wizards/) in exchange for fourth-year forward [Rui Hachimura](/nba/players/2268082/rui-hachimura/). As for this deal, Hachimura will give the Lakers some much-needed size and athleticism in the frontcourt and cost them very little in return. As Schroder's stream shows, most of the time other players are not in the loop on everything the front office is doing, so trades are just as much of a surprise to them. It's pretty rare to get a player's honest, initial reaction to a trade rather than a soundbite in the media hours later. The veteran was live streaming when news of the trade broke on social media.

The No. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hachimura spent the first three and a half seasons of his career in Washington. He heads to Los Angeles with career ...

Jan. The game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Clippers will tip off around 10:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. - Time: 10:00 p.m. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Viewers in the United States can also stream the game on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. He heads to Los Angeles with career averages of 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 47.9 percent shooting from the field. Clippers will be broadcast nationally on TNT. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! 9 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hachimura spent the first three and a half seasons of his career in Washington.

Restricted Free Agency, or RFA, has long been a thorn in the side of NBA franchises, as it allows opposing teams to set the market on a player who the ...

The Wizards have not only had a clearly superior player in Kyle Kuzma in front of Hachimura for a year and a half, but they also have generally have had too deep a backcourt. By trading away a player with two more years on their rookie contract, you're tapping into the player's perceived potential around the league, and optimizing trade value. Navigating RFA waters begin with understanding the fact that extending a player's rookie contract should be preferable. Here's a quick rule of thumb: NBA teams like to know what they have to deal with, especially financially. [sent to the Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35511046/sources-lakers-nearing-deal-wizards-rui-hachimura) on Januray 23rd, could be had for Kendrick Nunn and three modest second-round draft picks. Or, does a team out there believe in Hachimura's upside to an extent of $20+ million per year?

On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers made waves by trading guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks to the Washington Wizards for forward Rui Hachimura. Many feel that although he won't make them into championship contenders, ...

The Los Angeles Lakers made a trade to bring in Rui Hachimura from the Wizards, but who are the big winners and losers from the deal.

(Of course, he will get most of his minutes off the bench next to [Russell Westbrook](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29376/russell-westbrook) — they were teammates in Washington and have a connection.) [according to Jake Fischer at Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-acquisition-of-rui-hachimura-could-limit-free-agent-flexibility-231717513.html), and the Hachimura trade signals they are serious about re-signing him this offseason. While he has responded to trade rumors saying all the right things about loving his time with the Wizards and his teammates, the rumors continue to swirl around the league that he is eyeing bigger markets and brighter lights. He needs to get out and run with Westbrook, he’s a good fit with the Lakers on the break. Hachimura got what he wanted in that he’s out, and he’s on a team that’s going to give him plenty of minutes, a franchise with a much brighter spotlight, he gets to play next to LeBron James, and he’s with a team that wants to reach a new contract deal with him this offseason. Does Kuzma want to stay in Washington? This is a solid, safe play, one the Laker front office can tout to fans and say, “look, we’re trying” (and say the same to any They instead got three seconds, which maybe they turn into a good player but it’s not a home run. Hachimura has improved as a catch-and-shoot 3-point guy in his NBA career, and when playing with All it cost was a guy on the edge of the rotation and some second-round picks. We’ll start by reminding everyone of the trade itself: On the other side, the Wizards…

Opposing teams have spent the entire season asking the Lakers for one of their two tradable first-round picks in almost any negotiated trade, but the Washington ...

Further, by starting Hachimura, the Lakers are essentially committing to keeping Davis at center for the rest of the year. Of course, that is a decision the Lakers don't need to make until the offseason. While the Lakers are incredibly thin at forward, their two best players happen to be in the front-court. [Andre Drummond](/nba/players/1992788/andre-drummond/) a starting position in 2021 upon his arrival despite [Marc Gasol's](/nba/players/1231870/marc-gasol/) superior play and fit with the incumbent roster. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported after the deal that the Lakers hope to re-sign Hachimura after the season. [Rui Hachimura](/nba/players/2268082/rui-hachimura/) trade the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) made on Monday was the relatively meager price.

The Lakers' acquisition of Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards on Monday doesn't indicate the Lakers' pursuit of additional deals leading up to the ...

I'm so happy to be a part of this family, and I'm so happy to be back in L.A. "We all have to do our jobs and do them with excellence and all be together. "Just a multifaceted, strong, athletic, skilled young player that I'm really excited about having the opportunity to add him to our ballclub. Hachimura took a red-eye flight to L.A. And if that move doesn't present itself, we'll be smart and make it at a later time." That's how we operate and will continue to operate." If we see a move that puts us as a front-runner to get another championship here, the 18th one here, we'll make it. "The completely unwise thing to do would be to shoot a bullet early and then not have it later when you have a better championship move you can make," Pelinka continued. was able to hold on to those picks in the Wizards trade, sending And, I said this at the beginning of the season, if there's an opportunity to get all the way to the end and win a championship, there's no resource we'll hold on to if we feel like that's there." 9 trade deadline will include parting with the franchise's 2027 and 2029 first-round picks in order to complete a deal. Pelinka was asked if the Lakers' pursuit of additional deals leading up to the Feb.

The Wizards believe Deni Avdija has a better chance to develop with Rui Hachimura elsewhere. How will that look in their rotation?