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The Los Angeles Lakers splashed in free agency this offseason, signing several players including big man Walker Kessler to supplement the superstar backcourt they’ve put together.
One player they didn’t keep, though, is forward Rui Hachimura, who had been with the team since the 2022-23 season. Hachimura signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday on a two-year, $28 million deal.
The 28-year-old forward was a solid role player for the Lakers during his three-and-a-half year tenure, averaging 12.3 points per game to go with 4.3 rebounds. His teammates clearly saw his value as well, as Dan Woke, Sam Amick and Law Murray of The Athletic wrote point guard Luka Doncic had Hachimura on a shortlist of players he wanted the Lakers to keep.
“The Los Angeles Lakers initially were interested in retaining Hachimura, who was on All-NBA point guard Luka Dončić’s list of preferred returning teammates,” they wrote.
The Lakers reportedly prioritized defense this offseason, leading to their decision.
“But the Lakers also wanted more defensive-minded players, and went on to acquire Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton this summer.”
Hachimura will now slot into a Clippers lineup recently infused with youth following their trades of All-NBA duo James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Alongside No. 5 overall draft pick Keaton Wagler, the Clippers have Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram to lead their team as they look to improve on a play-in exit last season.
Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) and guard Luka Doncic (77) react after a defensive play during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Hachimura routinely played power forward for the Lakers, and LA made it a point to get their hands on a high-end big man at the beginning of the free agency window in Kessler. Alongside Kessler, the Lakers signed forward Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal.
Mamukelashvili will be the Lakers’ new starting power forward, and is coming off of a career-best season in Toronto. He averaged 11.2 points per game, also logging 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per night on 21.9 minutes.
The current problems for the Lakers lie elsewhere in the team, as they don’t have a serviceable replacement at small forward for LeBron James, who declared his intent to join a different team in free agency this offseason.
The post Luka Doncic Wanted Rui Hachimura to Stay With the Lakers appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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One player they didn’t keep, though, is forward Rui Hachimura, who had been with the team since the 2022-23 season. Hachimura signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday on a two-year, $28 million deal.
The 28-year-old forward was a solid role player for the Lakers during his three-and-a-half year tenure, averaging 12.3 points per game to go with 4.3 rebounds. His teammates clearly saw his value as well, as Dan Woke, Sam Amick and Law Murray of The Athletic wrote point guard Luka Doncic had Hachimura on a shortlist of players he wanted the Lakers to keep.
“The Los Angeles Lakers initially were interested in retaining Hachimura, who was on All-NBA point guard Luka Dončić’s list of preferred returning teammates,” they wrote.
The Lakers reportedly prioritized defense this offseason, leading to their decision.
“But the Lakers also wanted more defensive-minded players, and went on to acquire Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton this summer.”
Hachimura will now slot into a Clippers lineup recently infused with youth following their trades of All-NBA duo James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Alongside No. 5 overall draft pick Keaton Wagler, the Clippers have Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram to lead their team as they look to improve on a play-in exit last season.
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Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) and guard Luka Doncic (77) react after a defensive play during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Who Will Replace Rui Hachimura on the Lakers?
Hachimura routinely played power forward for the Lakers, and LA made it a point to get their hands on a high-end big man at the beginning of the free agency window in Kessler. Alongside Kessler, the Lakers signed forward Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal.
Mamukelashvili will be the Lakers’ new starting power forward, and is coming off of a career-best season in Toronto. He averaged 11.2 points per game, also logging 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per night on 21.9 minutes.
The current problems for the Lakers lie elsewhere in the team, as they don’t have a serviceable replacement at small forward for LeBron James, who declared his intent to join a different team in free agency this offseason.
The post Luka Doncic Wanted Rui Hachimura to Stay With the Lakers appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
