Rui Hachimura

The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring former lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards 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.

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 ...

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 Lakers are sending three second-round picks and guard Kendrick Nunn to the Wizards for forward Rui Hachimura, sources told ESPN.

... I just want to be somewhere that believes in me and I can be myself. Nunn, in his fourth NBA season, has played in 39 games this year after missing all of last season due to a knee injury. The Lakers believe that Hachimura gives them another sizable wing defender who has shown an ability to make corner 3-pointers and midrange shots when teams run the Lakers off the 3-point line. "I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,'' Hachimura told reporters last week. "And I want to be somewhere that likes my game. "Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui's two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn't present itself often," Lakers vice president of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka said in a statement.

Adrian Wojnarowski: The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer, sources tell ESPN.

– [1:15 PM](https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1617586881751056384) [The Ringer](https://twitter.com/ringernba)@ [ringernba](https://twitter.com/ringernba) [@TheAthletic](https://twitter.com/TheAthletic) [@Stadium](https://twitter.com/Stadium). -via [Twitter @avarwallace](https://twitter.com/avarwallace)/ January 23, 2023 -via [Twitter @MagicJohnson](https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson)/ January 23, 2023 [@Jorge Sierra](https://twitter.com/hoopshype). [@Ramona Shelburne](https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne): The Wizards are in advanced talks on a trade to send forward Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. Truly weird stuff from the Wizards unless they’re convinced Kuz will re-sign, and he sounded pretty ready to test UFA last we heard… Lakers got Rui Hachimura for a surprisingly low price, and that may mean Kyle Kuzma is off the table now. [@SecondSpectrum](https://twitter.com/SecondSpectrum). Working in LA’s favor (and Hachimura’s, too): W/ the Lakers, he doesn’t need to be “9th pick in the Draft” good. He needs to be “gave up 3 2nds good,” and then in theory “reasonable $ in an extension good.” Context is really important. Instead of parting ways with Westbrook, the Lakers surrounded him with three of his former Wizards teammates — Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown Jr.

An agreement was reached Monday when the Lakers added another second-rounder to their offer. The trade is expected to be finalized this afternoon, according to ...

[Twitter link](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1617579520273575936)). The price will be guard [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nunnke01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-23_bbr) and multiple second-round picks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic ( [Twitter link](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1617577313826209799)). Specifics on the picks involved haven’t been released, but Bobby Marks of ESPN points out ( [via Twitter](https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1617579754097643520)) that L.A. After signing with the Lakers as a free agent in 2021, Nunn missed his entire first season due to a knee injury. The 27-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent in July. The Wizards didn’t sign Hachimura to a rookie scale extension before the October deadline, so he’ll be a free agent this summer. In 30 games this season, all as a reserve, he’s averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports that L.A. [Twitter link](https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1617578759598792705)). [Kyle Kuzma](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kuzmaky01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-23_bbr) in free agency after he turns down his player option ( [Twitter link](https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1617579482432536576)). [tweets](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1617584801686650881). [Rui Hachimura](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hachiru01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-23_bbr) from the Wizards, [tweets](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1617577200869597187) ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

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 ...

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. [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. [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. [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 on 33.7 percent 3-point shooting this season and matched a season-high with 30 points against the [Magic](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/ORL/orlando-magic/) on Saturday. 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 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.

New Lakers forward Rui Hachimura may not have lived up to expectations so far in his NBA career, but there's little doubt the sneaker game is strong with ...

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: A detail of the shoes worn by Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the second quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: A detail of the shoes of Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards is shown against the New York Knicks in the second half at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs wears Nike sneakers during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Pepperdine Waves at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) The Bulldogs defeated the Waves 100-74.

Hachimura grew up with three siblings and has spent most of his life in Japan. However, he was drafted by the Washington Wizards as the ninth pick in the 2019 ...

This is a reference to baseball, as his grandfather was a big fan of the sport. Despite his popularity, he has decided to keep them away from the public. On the other hand, his father is from Benin, a small country in West Africa. 23, 2023, the big man was traded to the LA Lakers. Hachimura grew up with three siblings and has spent most of his life in Japan. As many NBA fans are already aware, Hachimura is from Japan but has played in the United States since 2016.

The Lakers didn't have to give up much for a needed potential wing upgrade. And they're not done on the trade market, either.

[Kyle Kuzma](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kyle-kuzma-7x2ASMz0sv4qdd7u/) and [Deni Avdija](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/deni-avdija-bal3An0llHCzjLsr/). Realistically, this was as good of a trade as the Lakers were going to find in exchange for Nunn and multiple second-round picks. The 12th-place Lakers are just one game out of the No. The cost for the Lakers is Nunn, who had been playing much better recently, but is the odd man out when the Lakers are at full strength. The Lakers shipped [Kendrick Nunn](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kendrick-nunn-rjceJWYw6Ch2xsmM/) and three second-round picks to Washington, the teams announced on Monday. It was not the first time he has voiced his displeasure with the roster’s lack of length and size this season. The Lakers alleviated their backcourt jam, dumping their least productive guard for the minor cost of three second-round picks, one of which (2028) is a swap on a pick they originally owned. The Lakers have been at a size advantage in most games this season. But the Lakers are willing to consider adding more assets to get a better player, depending on Davis’ recovery and the state of the market as the deadline nears. They enter the next two-plus weeks armed with two first-round picks (2027 and ’29) and three players ( The soon-to-be 25-year-old Hachimura has the size (6 foot 8, 230 pounds), length (7-foot-2 wingspan) and athleticism that the Lakers desperately need in the frontcourt. The Lakers’ preference is to only give up a lottery-protected first for the 34-year-old Bogdanović, though that could change when up against the trade-deadline clock.

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 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 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 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.

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 trade sending Kendrick Nunn and second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Rui Hachimura is a win for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers added an unpolished but capable 3-and-D player who can help in the present and future — and did so without surrendering valuable assets. If he’s great and the Lakers want to sign him on the open market, they could be on the books for his $18.8 million cap hold. But, if they can negotiate a deal with Hachimura at a lower initial AAV and/or re-sign him at a figure below his cap hold, they can retain hordes of space to use on a supporting cast, or even a discount veteran star. Kyrie Irving?) Ironically, the best-case scenario for the Lakers may be Hachimura playing well enough to move the needle, but not so well that he becomes overly expensive. A glaring difference between the 2022-23 and 2021-22 squads is the former’s combination of motor, speed, and athleticism. Hachimura will be a restricted free agent, and the Lakers [per ESPN’s Kirk Goldsberry](https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1617580605562302464). Hachimura isn’t Kyle Korver, but he has made 40.1% of his triples (2.9 attempts per game) across the past two seasons, including a 44.7% campaign in 2021-22. [slated](https://twitter.com/kylegoon/status/1617667316044681216) to make his Lakers debut against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. [special bond](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/04/02/rui-hachimura-russell-westbrook-tutor/) with Russell Westbrook and his prior experience with Troy Brown Jr. “We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers,” Rob Pelinka said in a statement. The Lakers have needed two-way size on the wing since Kyle Kuzma was traded.

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.

HoopsHype's Yossi Gozlan explains how the Rui Hachimura trade affects the Lakers and Wizards.

They still have $2.5 million of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception remaining, which they could use to give Goodwin more than the prorated minimum salary for this year and up to three additional years. The pending player options of Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis complicate their cap sheet for next season, and bringing back both of them could put them right at the tax before factoring in a new deal for Hachimura. They could also trade for players under contract for next season, which would help keep them in the mix for July trades. [argued last week](https://hoopshype.com/lists/why-the-lakers-are-better-off-trading-for-players-now/), there are benefits for the Lakers to trade for players that they would like to have on the roster next year now instead of taking their chances in free agency. In fact, the amount that could be deducted could be high enough to take them out of the cap space derby and have them operate as an over-the-cap team. The Lakers are projected to have $30 million in cap space this coming offseason, but re-signing Hachimura would cut into that amount significantly.

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.

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.

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?