Rui Hachimura is a top 10 free agent at power forward and should reap the benefits. While Hachimura is a restricted free agent, if the Los Angeles Lakers offer him the $7.74 million qualifying offer as expected, the 25-year-old is expected to attract several suitors, according to Jova Buha of The Athletic.
“As for Hachimura, the Lakers are expected to extend him a $7.7 million qualifying offer by June 29, making him a restricted free agent. Hachimura is also expected to have a strong market after his impressive playoff performance. The Lakers can also match any offer from another team.”
NBA Rumors: Phoenix and Indiana Are Potential Landing Spots For Rui Hachimura
Hachimura, who possesses a well-rounded game, had a solid 2022-23 campaign. He solidified the Lakers’ bench after they acquired him from the Washington Wizards., However, his production in the postseason is what is going to get the big bucks.
When Los Angeles acquired him on January 23, the Lakers were tied for the third worst record in the Western Conference at 22-25, and they had an average minus-0.9 scoring margin. Their bench averaged 39.7 points and shot 45.7% from the field, and averaged four three-pointers at a 33% clip during this stretch.
After the Lakers traded for the 6-8, 230-pound forward, they posted the seventh-best record at 21-14 with a +2.5 scoring margin. LA’s bench upped their production to 40.3 points a contest on 47% shooting from the field. Hachimura averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23 minutes over 33 appearances for the Lakers. He scored in double-figures 15 times, posted one double-double, and registered a +1.2 plus/minus rating during the regular season.
Hachimura stepped up in the playoffs, arguably becoming a top-four player for LA. He compiled 12.2 points and 1.2 treys with a shooting slash line of .557/.487/.882. Hachimura scored at least 10 points in eight of the 16 playoff games, topping the 20-point mark on four occasions.
Los Angeles Lakers Want To Keep Hachimura
Los Angeles’ brass has said for a while that they intended to re-sign Hachimura and Austin Reaves this summer. General manager Rob Pelinka has a lot of work to do. The Lakers only have three players under guaranteed contracts for next year, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Max Christie. While James is reportedly mulling retirement, that is not going to happen.
The Lakers acquired Hachimura on January 23 in exchange for three second-round picks.
The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer, sources tell ESPN. Hachimura can be a restricted free agent. https://t.co/TAdM1h8iAH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023
Besides Hachimura and Reeves, the Lakers have decisions to make on several of their players. Malik Beasley(club option), Mo Bamba, and Shaquille Harrison have nonguaranteed deals. Jarred Vanderbilt‘s $4.6 is only partially guaranteed ($300,000). Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell, Lonnie Walker IV, Wenyen Gabriel, and Dennis Schroder are unrestricted free agents.
Los Angeles is expected to go over the salary cap. The Lakers own Hachimura’s Bird rights, meaning they can go over the cap to sign him.
Pelinka recently spoke to Mark Medina of The Sporting Tribune about his summer thoughts.
“Keeping that continuity is going to be very important. We ultimately got knocked out by a team that has great continuity. We’re not going to rest on our laurels.If there are opportunities to get even better, whether it’s through the draft or whether it’s through trades or free agency, we’re always looking to improve. But we have a core that is highly successful. That’s a good starting point.”
If Los Angeles wants to keep Hachimura, they are Hachimura made $6.2 million this past season, the final of his rookie scale deal. However, Hachimura is expected to at least double that this summer. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo, prior to Hachimura being traded, he and Washington discussed a contract extension. Those negotiations reportedly started at $12 million though that quickly got to the $13-14 million range. Hachimura’s camp reportedly was seeking something closer to four years, $60 million. The following is more from Fischer.
“Following a strong playoffs, where the 24-year-old forward played critical closing minutes and started the Lakers’ final outing, that $15 million in average annual value seems like the floor for Hachimura. Josh Hart’s extension talks with New York are expected to approach $18 million annually, sources told Yahoo Sports, and the NBA free-agent marketplace tends to be a comparative economy.”
Rui Hachimura Noncommital About Summer Plans
While Hachimura enjoyed his time with the Lakers, it sounds like he will take his time to decide on his future.
“I think just like playing with LeBron, AD, especially us three on the floor it, I think it was a really big impact against any team in the NBA,” Hachimura said at the weekly wrap-up presser. “I think for sure the front office they’re, of course, looking for, and of course, I’m a free agent or whatever, but for me, just these three months were good for me. So yeah, I just want to thank [the Lakers] for this opportunity.”
“For me, at the end of the day, I’ve always been good with my agents,” he added. “Jason [Ranne] and [Darren Matsubara], they’re always being really grateful for me. We’re a team, and we always make a good decision together. Honestly, I can’t say anything right now, but I’m just gonna talk to them carefully, and we’re gonna decide what we’re gonna do. I trust them a lot. I’m not saying it’s gonna be up to them, but their option’s gonna be really big.”
Who Are the Lakers Chief Competition for Huchimura?
While Hachumira is expected to have many suitors, Fischer said that the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns are teams to watch. However, the number of teams and who the squads are depends on what happens during the draft and early in free agency.
Houston, Utah, San Antonio, Detroit, and Orlando are expected to have the necessary cap space. The same goes for Oklahoma City, Indiana, and Charlotte. Meanwhile, New York, Sacramento, Minnesota, Portland, and Phoenix would have to move salaries if they plan to offer Hachimura more than the mid-level exception.
Houston projects to have over $60 million in cap space. The Rockets want to add veterans to their young core, and that seems to be their priority, whether via free agency or trades. Hachimura is a natural fit with Houston if the Rockets have to unload several players in a trade.
Utah has plenty of cap space and several exceptions. Hachimura would be a nice compliment to Lauri Markkanen, as both can play the three and four.
OKC also has plenty of money. But the Thunder have 14 players under contract for the upcoming season though they have flexibility.
Sacramento would be an interesting destination if Harrison Barnes leaves as an unrestricted free agent.
Meanwhile, the Suns are over the luxury tax though they are rumored to be shopping Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul.
The Spurs aren’t necessarily a fit at this point unless they trade Keldon Johnson. The same can be said about the Pacers unless they unload Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. The Hornets aren’t looking to add any major free agents unless Miles Bridges or PJ Washington don’t re-sign.
Detroit and Orlando don’t appear to be a fit due to the organization’s direction.
