Lake Show Life
Fansided

Lakers can land a recent lottery stud with this trade package

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Why the Los Angeles Lakers could say yes to this Rui Hachimura trade:

Reports from earlier this season indicated that the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t just looking to make a trade that improves this year’s team but also has the long-term perspective in mind. This would be such a trade in which the Lakers can improve now while also bringing in a role player that can actually provide continuity.

Hachimura is a restricted free agent so by trading for him, the Lakers would have the right to match any offer sheet he receives to keep him in Los Angeles. Hachimura is not going to sign some kind of crazy deal and the Lakers will more than be able to keep him in town.

Based on previous deals, Hachimura would likely receive something in the ballpark of three years for $25 million. That is more than doable for the Lakers and is a fair price for a young role player who was just taken with the ninth overall pick four years ago.

Hachimura has not been fantastic from beyond the arc this season but he has shown that he can be a great floor-stretching wing in the past. Hachimura shot 44.7% from three this season and is still having outbursts this year that are intriguing to imagine in Los Angeles.

Getting this kind of potential for two second-round picks is a no-brainer. Not only does it instantly address the team’s lack of wing depth but it gives them a solid young role player to lock in for the next three to four years after this season.

That is better than trading a second-round pick for an aging veteran and with the team getting the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round pick in a pick swap, they can afford to make this move.

Home/Lakers Rumors