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Spurs and Nets named top landing spots for Lakers $51 million sharpshooter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The legal tampering period of NBA free agency has picked up steam on Wednesday after a slow Day 1, but there are still plenty of quality players on the market, including forward Rui Hachimura.
Hachimura's departure from the Lakers has basically been confirmed, as Los Angeles has signed two wings to big-money deals in Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, who will both play similar roles to replace Hachimura.
Though a return to Los Angeles is likely out of the question, it shouldn't take long for Hachimura to find a new home, and it could be with a Western Conference contender or a team out East.
Spurs and Nets linked to Hachimura in NBA free agency
Athlon Sports' Nathaniel Holloway listed the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets as the top landing spots for Hachimura on the open market.
"During his time in Los Angeles, Hachimura has turned into a key role player who is a reliable scorer and defender at the forward position, which many teams around the NBA are in need of," Holloway wrote.
Hachimura blossomed into a valuable NBA player during his tenure with the Lakers. The former Washington Wizard has shot over 40% from three in each of the last three seasons, and has also proved to be a versatile defender capable of guarding four positions on the court.
San Antonio has been connected to Hachimura more than any other team. The Spurs are looking to add more experience and shooting to their rotation, and Hachimura would bring both at a high level.
The 28-year-old would be an exceptional fit as a two-way role player alongside Victor Wembanyama, could start at small forward or power forward, or come off the bench and still make an impact.
The Spurs could use their $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Hachimura and add even more depth to their already stacked front court.
Even after signing Keon Ellis and Mo Wagner, the Nets have a ton of money to spend, so they could look to sign Hachimura as a key rotational piece in their rebuild.
Though Brooklyn likely won't be very competitve in the East in 2026, they could still sign Hachimura and flip him at the trade deadline in February to a contender for draft capital in return. Any contender would love to acquire a veteran wing like Hachimura mid-season for a playoff run.
Overall, the Spurs feel like the overwhelming favorites to land Hachimura in free agency, but a team, like the Nets, could swoop in and offer the former first-round pick a lucrative deal he can't resist. We'll see what transpires as free agency continues this week.
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