The Los Angeles Lakers lost another key piece to last season’s team as forward Rui Hachimura agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. After nearly four years with the franchise, Hachimura will move on while still being able to remain in the city of Los Angeles.
There were many wondering if there was a chance Hachimura would remain with the Lakers, but it sounds as if he was bound to sign elsewhere early on in free agency. The Lakers and Clippers even engaged in talks of a sign-and-trade, but were unable to come to terms on a deal, via Shams Charania of ESPN:
Hachimura and his agent Darren Matsubara of THE•TEAM came to an understanding with the Clippers early in free agency on finding a deal together. The sides waited for the Lakers to complete their offseason business to pursue a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers didn’t cooperate on one, according to a source close to Hachimura. Instead, the Clippers and Hachimura moved forward to keep him in his desired location of Los Angeles.
The Lakers and Clippers had a discussion around a Hachimura sign-and-trade, but the Clippers offered minimal cash as the Lakers expected draft capital in a potential return, sources said.
The idea of a sign-and-trade made sense in theory as it would allow Hachimura to get the money he was after, and the Lakers to get something in return for losing the forward. But with the Clippers only offering cash and no draft capital, which the Lakers are in the need for, it didn’t make sense for them to pursue the deal. And with Hachimura being an unrestricted free agent, the Clippers weren’t motivated to offer anything more in a potential deal.
If the Lakers would have pursued a sign-and-trade, they would have had to keep Hachimura’s $28 million cap hold on their books, which would have meant significantly less cap space to spend in free agency. That was not something the Lakers were going to consider, especially with only cash coming their way.
Regardless, the loss of Hachimura is a tough one for the Lakers as he had grown into one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA and brought versatility to the frontcourt. He also stepped up in the playoffs with the team decimated due to injury, playing a massive role in the Lakers getting out of the first round, averaging 17.5 points while shooting 56.9% from 3-point range.
Now, Hachimura will move on with the Clippers and the Lakers will have to figure out how to replace what he brought to the team.
Rui Hachimura thanks Lakers fans on social media following news of departure
Hachimura had grown a strong connection to Lakers fans, especially with his growth over the years and how well he performed in the postseason. Following the news that he would be joining the Clippers in free agency, Hachimura took to social media to thank the Lakers fans for everything.
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