The Lakers and Wizards discussed the Rui Hachimura trade for several days before reaching an agreement, with the level of draft compensation serving as the primary sticking point, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers were originally exploring the trade market to see what they could get for Kendrick Nunn and two second-round picks, and could have landed Knicks forward Cam Reddish for such a package. However, Los Angeles preferred Hachimura and ultimately reached a compromise with the Wizards – who originally sought a first-round pick for the former lottery selection – by adding a third second-rounder.
Hachimura is expected to command an eight-figure annual salary as a free agent, sources tell Buha, and Fischer has heard similar rumblings, writing that the current expectation is that the forward’s price will be around $10MM per year. That figure could increase though if Hachimura emerges as the Lakers’ third-best player behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis down the stretch though, Fischer acknowledges.
Either way, if the Lakers hope to re-sign Hachimura, which sounds like the plan, his new deal will significantly cut into the cap room they’ll be able to create this summer.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- It’s unclear if Hachimura will start immediately, but the expectation is that he’ll be part of the starting five once he gets acclimated and the rotation is settled, Buha writes. The former Wizards forward could make his Lakers debut as early as Wednesday, tweets Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.
- With Davis on track to return in the near future, the Lakers want to continue evaluating their roster to determine whether to use their remaining assets to make a minor or major roster upgrade, according to Buha. While the team is willing to do something more substantial, the most likely move at this point is dealing Patrick Beverley and a lottery-protected first-round pick for a wing or frontcourt player, Buha adds.
- Although the Lakers continue to be frequently linked to Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, there’s a gap between how the two sides view his value. League sources tell Buha that Detroit is seeking at least an unprotected first-round pick, while L.A. is thus far only willing to give up a lottery-protected first-rounder.
- In a column for The Los Angeles Times, Woike says the acquisition of Hachimura is a smart, sensible move for the Lakers, even if it’s not a blockbuster. Zach Kram of The Ringer is underwhelmed by the move, arguing that Hachimura is a “single-dimensional scorer” and a subpar defender who won’t move the needle on L.A.’s playoff chances.
Love that the Lakers spent their Cam Reddish capital on Rui. That hopefully pries the door open a lil more on a Hawks/Cam reunion. We def could use another wing defender… Lonnie Walker’s return seems to be very underrated by the masses. He’s been great in his role for them this season & will def help them a lot down the stretch. They def dont need to be giving up unprotected 1sts for non-defenders entering their mid 30s like Bojangles.. link to m.youtube.com
Pelinka clearly got no poker face
He comes thirsty !!!!
If rui can score 15 points a game or more, Its a grade A trade for the lakers.
But he’ll give up 20 so it’s a C at best.
According to dunkandthrees.com’s DEPM and 538.com’s D-RAPTOR Rui’s defense has been slightly above average this season while his offense has been below average. Just goes to show that as per usual old narratives are hard to break.
With LeBron feeding him and when Davis returns and draws double teams in the paint his offense should get better.
Hachimura gets lost on defense constantly.
From the Athletic link to theathletic.com
Scout B and Scout C rated Hachimura’s defense as average, at best.
Indeed, Hachimura’s defensive performance can be glaringly ineffective at times. He is perceived as a player who is not all that interested in, or focused on, defending.
“That’s fair, unfortunately,” Scout A said. “That was the area that you kind of thought maybe he had the most upside in in college, and it’s turned out to be almost the opposite, where the majority of his value is derived on the offensive end as opposed to the defensive end.”
So in September before the season started Josh Robbins asked 3 scouts for their then take on Hachimura. At that time 2 out of 3 said he was average at best.
Now jump ahead to January of 2023 and advanced metrics point to him playing slightly above average defense. Perfect example of a young player getting better.
Like I said old narratives are hard to break.
Plus he’s going to a defensive minded coach along with quality vets. Should see an even bigger improvement once he gets a few reps in with the new coaches and systems.
So next year if they keep this current roster, they have players under contract for 98M. Cap is 134M. So renounce everyone and have about 30M to spend in the offseason…. Or take on a more palatable bum contract, recoup some picks and make a move in the offseason.
Bertans, Robinson, Hayward, Fournier, Simmons, Isaac/Fultz are all bad contracts that the Lakers might be able to make a deal with Brick and get picks back in the process.
Is Rob Lowe a savvy enough GM to make a move though? Not sure.
Lonnie Walker and Pat Bev should have been dealt for assets already, but instead they dealt for Rui.
Lonnie Walker is a valuable player for the lakers, pat bev and kendrick nunn are the players that need to be traded and they finished one already. Pat bev and a first or second for a solid combo forward like kyle anderson, sadiq bey, or even something like joe ingles and serge ibaka.
They won’t be able to offer him enough to retain him.
Walker before Dennis and Bryant was one of their most consistent players . Why in the world would they trade him that be a dumb move
Go back and look at past articles for how much they can offer him vs what others can offer him next yr
Hachimura will play more than Nunn, not a bad move. Seems like a wash, but Hachimira could possibly develop.
Thoughts and prayers for both the Lakers and Wizards. Not much more than that from this trade.
Rui younger a former first round pick . They got a decent player who played with brown , Russ and t Bryant before on their playoff team . So it a good move for them.
Interesting trade. On negative side, Rui has never played more than 57 games. Another Davis? To go with aging LBJ? 3pt shooting is awful this year but read where open 3’s he’s awesome. Nunn was just starting to hit 3’s so I wonder if we have up exactly what we needed. In addition, now options to get Bog are limited on the personnel side. You’ll need to include Walker with PatBev for salary cap. Or go big with Westbrook and grab 3-4 Pistons. Bog, Burks, Noel, Bagley? Inc Toscano, Jones with WB strictly for keeping salary close and dealing with roster space.
And maybe trade Pat Bev for bad contract and pick up a 2nd rounder?
The Lakers should still pursue Reddish. Beverly to the Knicks should get it done.
The Knicks need what Pat brings to the table in order to get the lift they are looking for right now.
Anderson for Rose works while they are at it.
I definitely agree with you. I wanted Kendrick Nunn gone for sure. The two players I wanted the Los Angeles Lakers to go after was Rui Hachimura or Cam Reddish. They got Rui Hachimura and I love the trade! I think he’s going to do great! He’s a young fella that needs a change of scenery. I still think they need to go after Cam Reddish. He definitely needs a change of scenery and I think the Los Angeles Lakers will be perfect for him. Rui Hachimura is 6’8 with a 7’2 wingspan and Cam Reddish is 6’8 with a 7’1 wingspan. It will give us plenty of length on the perimeter and on the wings. Then Rui Hachimura will only be 25 years old starting next season and Cam Reddish will only be 24 years old starting next season. Then they are the 9th and 10th picks from the 2019 NBA Draft. You will be able to have both them on the roster for 5 second round picks. That is a way for Rob Pelinka to redeem himself for giving up our young talent and wings like Kyle Kuzma Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso. If I have to give up Patrick Beverley to get him I’m totally cool with that. He don’t have a future with the Lakers. Cam Reddish can. Then with Cam Reddish struggling early in his career they can lock him up to a four year deal for cheap.
While I wouldnt mind reddish I think the Lakers need to go after a decent shooter or two with the next trade. Spurs deal if Pop isnt anal about the price seems better but we’ll see.
Pat Bev….no thanks
Lakers aren’t going anywhere & if they trade their 2025 or 2027 1st round picks unprotected, they will be burned severely.
Patrick Beverly $13mill salary doesn’t match up with Cam Reddish $6mill & some change Lakers could send the contracts of Damion Jones $2.242mill & Juan Toscano $1.9mill with 2 2nd round draft pick to match also Knicks could add a player to make the numbers close for a deal.
Great trade by the LAL!
They really looking a lot more dangerous now, bigger guys, size does always matter!
The 9th best player on a non playoff team got traded for the 12th best player on a non playoff team. Prediction: neither player will help their team make the playoffs.