Rui Hachimura is one of the biggest names left on the open market. And there certainly have been plenty of rumors swirling about where the 28-year-old free agent forward will land. He reportedly has drawn the attention of a couple more teams recently.
Rui Hachimura Recently Had Talks with A Pair of Western Conference Teams
While Hachimura saw his role reduced during the regular season in Los Angeles due to Luka Doncic being with the Lakers for the whole season and the emergence of Austin Reaves, he was fantastic during the Lakers’ playoff run. He was not only highly productive but also very efficient.
In 10 playoff games, Hachimura averaged 17.5 points on 54.9% shooting and 3.3 triples at a 53.4% clip. Hachimura scored in double figures in all 10 games, topping the 20-point mark four times, while grabbing four rebounds and doling out two assists per game.
As a result of his postseason performance, Hachimura figured to be in line for a raise from the $18.2 million he earned this past season. The Lakers indicated they would like to bring him back after the season, though there was also speculation that the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs would pursue him. So, there were questions about whether the Lakers could afford him while also giving Reaves a new contract and potentially keeping LeBron James.
The Lakers have been very active this offseason, as they should have been, with the third most cap space to start the season. The Lakers could still use a stretch-4 and have 13 players under contract with a salary cap hit of at least $194.4 million. So, depending on how deep they want to go into the tax, the Lakers can afford Hachimura, even if they gave him $20 million a year. They are among several teams that have been linked to UFA Jonathan Kuminga.
What About the Nets and the Spurs?
Brooklyn appears to have gone in a different direction and won’t sign Hachimura. The Nets traded for Julius Randle and have 15 players under contract, including first-round picks Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Jefferson. Still, the Nets project to be around $30 below the tax threshold.
According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Hachimura was very much in play for the Spurs until Tobias Harris decided to sign with them instead of remaining in Detroit and Harrison Barnes re-signed. However, the Spurs have 13 players under contract, including first-round picks Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr., though they project to be at least $10 million under the first apron, where they are hard-capped.
Detroit, another team rumored to be interested in Hachimura, appears to be out of the running as well. The Pistons re-signed Kevin Huerter and Javonte Green today as well as added John Collins and Isaiah Joe, giving them 15 players, which includes restricted free agent Jalen Duren and 2026 first-round selection Ebuka Okerie.
Earlier this morning, Fischer added an update on Hachimura’s status. Fischer said that Minnesota and Golden State have made a pitch to the 6-8 forward.
As the free agent market moves along, sources say Minnesota and Golden State have both pitched the NBA’s top-remaining forward, Rui Hachimura.
More @TheSteinLine on Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Jonathan Kuminga: https://t.co/IPoSoDmW13 https://t.co/LgNDZ7hCZy
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 3, 2026
Hachimura Fit and Probability of Him Landing With the Timberwolves
Hachimura projects as a natural fit at the four alongside Rudy Gobert, LaMelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards. If the Wolves were to secure his services, he would likely either start at power forward, pushing Ayo Dosunmu to the bench, or serve as the team’s 6th man.
Hachimura would be the Wolves’ designated sharpshooter and would open up driving lanes for Edwards and give Ball another option off of his drives. With 12 players under contract, the Wolves face a financial crunch, as they are over the first apron and hardcapped at the second. So, realistically, they can probably only offer $ 5 million to the seven-year vet.
Hachimura Fit and Probability of Him Landing With the Warriors
Hachimura makes sense for the Warriors. Hachimura is a low-risk signing who fits well into Steve Kerr’s motion-offense system as a floor spacer. He would also give the Dubs a switchable defender, which is what they need with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for the first part of the season.
Golden State only has 10 players under contract for the upcoming season after re-upping with Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton. While the Warriors are hard-capped at the first apron, they still have about $25 million to work with. The Warriors don’t really have much in terms of shooting or size.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
