Rui Hachimura put together a masterful playoff run for the Los Angeles Lakers, specifically with his absurd 3-point shooting. He increased his production when both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were out, which propelled L.A. to upset the Houston Rockets in the first round.
As an impending unrestricted free agent, Hachimura opened a lot of eyes this postseason and there could be suitors trying to lure him away from Los Angeles as a result. However, the Lakers forward admitted that he has not thought about free agency at all.
“I [haven’t thought] about it at all. I didn’t talk to my agent. I haven’t talked to my people at all about free agency,” Hachimura said after the Lakers were eliminated. “I knew I was a free agent, but I haven’t been thinking about that. I don’t think about those kind of stuff. I’m just trying to play, get through the season and make the playoffs, trying to win the series. I was just focused on that. I haven’t talked about it. But I love this team, I love this organization since I got here.
“This is my fourth season with them. Rob, the owners, Jeanie, the new owner Mark, I just like them. I just like how they operate, everything. I really appreciate them and what they’ve done for me. They did a lot for me. I love it here. But at the end of the day, I’m not the one negotiating. My agents and I will, I’m not a good negotiator, so I put everything on my agents.”
It would make sense for both parties to be interested in a new contract as Hachimura has shown he is a 16-game player. Despite his flaws, he turned himself into an upper-echelon shooter and he fits in well with Doncic leading the way.
The Lakers have been able to extend Hachimura all year but have decided against it to this point. He will remain extension-eligible up until free agency on June 30, so the Lakers front office can prevent him from even entering the market by coming to terms on a new deal.
After the postseason he had though, Hachimura likely wants to get to free agency to test the market at this point and see what is out there.
This summer is an important one with the possibility of having up to eight free agents, so tough decisions loom for general manager Rob Pelinka. If they are unable to bring back Hachimura, then they will certainly need to address their 3-point shooting this offseason.
Chet Holmgren gave incredible nickname to fellow Gonzaga Alum Rui Hachimura
Before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, Chet Holmgren spoke very highly of a fellow Gonzaga alum in Hachimura. He gave the Lakers forward a great nickname and it lived up to the hype as Hachimura showed out against the defending champions in four games.
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