Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are backed by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
According to multiple reports, the team is in talks to trade Kendrick Nunn and second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Rui Hachimura:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: The Lakers are sending Chicago 2023 runners-up, their own 2029 runner-up and the less favorable Wizards/Lakers 2028 runner-up in trade between Kendrick Nunn and Rui Hachimura.
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him for an extension this summer, sources tell ESPN. Hachimura may be a restricted free agent. https://t.co/TAdM1h8iAH
The Wizards’ willingness to trade the young forward was prompted by Kyle Kuzma’s excellent play and the team’s hopes of signing him on a long-term deal during the offseason, according to ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski and NBA reporter Mark Stein.
Additionally, the Wizards were unable to agree a rookie deal extension with Hachimura before the October deadline, making him a restricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. While the Wizards could have fulfilled any offer sheet he signed, it made sense to trade him now and focus on keeping Kuzma in the offseason.
Hachimura, 24, made 118 starts in his first three seasons for the Wizards but came off the bench exclusively for the team this season. He was still productive, averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three.
While both James and Davis can play the 4, and Hachimura doesn’t dramatically improve the team’s ground clearance or three-point shooting, he does add another big body to the wing that the Lakers need.
Also, Nunn wasn’t a factor for the most part, and the Lakers appear to be betting on Hachimura’s potential at what could just be a cheap rent. At the very least, he’s expected to have a lot more influence than Nunn.
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
It’s hard to judge young players in losing situations with star teammates who don’t raise anyone. But there have been enough flashes over the years to remain mesmerized by Rui Hachimura’s potential, so I’m excited to see how he fares with the Lakers alongside LeBron James. https://t.co/Y9LNP3Ym1B
Dave DuFour @DaveDuFourNBA
Totally worth a free test drive with Rui Hachimura for the Lakers.
Costs her zero and he’s RFA this summer.
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lakers got Rui Hachimura for a surprisingly low price and that could mean Kyle Kuzma is now off the table. Really weird stuff from the Wizards unless they’re convinced Kuz will re-sign, and he sounded pretty ready to test UFA last we heard…
Hachimura seems happy to change places.
“I just want to be somewhere that I want as a basketball player, and I want to be somewhere that people like my game,” he said told reporters Saturday.
This wish seems to have been fulfilled.