NBA Today: Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura from Wizards
The Lakers confirmed of trading Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to Washington for Forward Rui Hachimura. Follow for more NBA today news here!
This is a huge move for the Los Angeles Lakers, acquiring the service of the former ninth overall pick, currently in his fourth NBA season, still 24 years-old and recently scored 30 points, days after being traded. The Japanese forward is currently averaging 13 points, 4.3 rebounds per contest, while shooting 48.8% in a limited minute, since the arrival of Kyle Kuzma. For upcoming NBA fantasy click here!
In the press release, the Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka announced and welcomed Hachimura and his family to their organization:
“We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers. Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui’s two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often. We want to thank Kendrick Nunn and his family for his time as a Laker, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
This was the obvious move from Wizards as their willingness to trade their young and promising power forward has a major effect on Kyle Kuzma’s excellent performance this season and the hope of the team that it can sign him to a long-term contract or maximum this upcoming offseason. Additionally, the Wizards and Rui Hachimura both didn’t reach mutual agreement on a rookie contract extension that would make him an unrestricted free agent after the 2022-2023 NBA season.
This is a win trade for the Los Angeles Lakers – Hachimura is still 24 years-old and just made 118 starts for Washington in the last three seasons before going off the bench this season. Despite that, he was still relatively productive, scoring 13 points, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% overall, and 33.7% from the three-point territory.
It is really a solid move for the Lakers team looking bright this past week, and trying hang around the play-ins or sneak into the playoff picture despite a weird and poorly constructed roster (with no reliable shooters) and an injury of Anthony Davis. Another is that this is pretty cheap for the Lakers. The second round picks turned out not pretty good, but occasionally turned into gems, but it was a not-worth monopoly for the Lakers who wanted to compete this season. Adding Hachimura is sounds great, his age, athleticism is really a nice fit in the frontline, and he can play alongside Davis when he returns. Putting him next to LeBron and Davis will be a solid lineup for Darvin Ham who prioritizes defense over offense.
NBA Trade Grade: A-
The only possible real problem is that the Lakers once again fail to use another trade asset to look for players who can knock down jumpers consistently and can take over in the clutch period. Well, Hachimura’s trade was quite stunning and a good move for the Lakers looking to add a youngster in their lineup and maximize defense inside the paint.
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