What Hachimura brings to LAL

Rui Hachimura, the Washington Wizards’ 9th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was linked to several teams but it was the LA Lakers that sealed the deal prior to the trading deadline on February 9.  The Lakers got him for Kendrick Nunn, who had missed his entire first season due to a knee injury, and three second-round picks (2023, 2028 and 2029).

Before the deal was finalized, Hachimura was asked by reporters about the rumor and he has not denied it.  “I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player.  And I want to be somewhere that loves my - likes my game, you know?  I just want to be somewhere that trusts and believes in me”, he said.

Obviously, the Japanese national basketball player, who will turn 25 next month and is on the final year of his contract, is not happy with his playing time.  He won’t be the player to build around, but could be a vital part of LAL’s frontcourt of the future if LeBron James finally bids basketball or perhaps LA goodbye.  A sound and safe investment for the Lakers.

At 6-8 and with decent career averages of 13 points and 5 rebounds, Hachimura spent his first four years with the Wizards.  He improves LA’s dire need at the forward spot but the Lakers still need to make another move at the wings if they want make a deep post season run.

Hachimura missed half of last season due to injuries.   For personal reasons, he only played 30 games this season. 

There’s a frontcourt gridlock in Washington with Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma starting.  Hachimura and two other combo wings Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert complete the frontcourt rotation but Wizard management perhaps thought that it would be best to let go of Hachimura as Avdija and Kispert are younger than him.

With his size and career averages, the Lakers get a solid rotation player from Rui Hachimura.