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4 trades the Lakers must make after trading for Rui Hachimura

By Jason Reed

Jan 9, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) after a shot during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) after a shot during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Lakers add another young wing

What made the Rui Hachimura trade such a smart one for LA is the fact that he is young and now Los Angeles has the right to match any offer sheet he receives as a free agent (so long that they extend him a qualifying offer).

Hachimura is not going to break the bank in free agency so while he may not have been part of the Wizards’ long-term plans, he could be part of the Lakers’ long-term plans (and should be). This is a great way to build up the roster this season while also getting a cost-controlled asset to keep around past this season.

Los Angeles could make a somewhat similar trade by trading for Charlotte’s Jalen McDaniels. McDaniels is a bit different as he is an unrestricted free agent after this season but getting him in the building is still a great thing.

The team could examine his fit next to LeBron and Anthony Davis and kickstart conversations before he hits the market as a free agent. He too is not going to break the bank and could give the Lakers another young wing to build around over the next 3-4 years.

Charlotte is firmly in the tanking category and would be more than willing to take a second-round pick that is currently in the top 40 for half a season of McDaniels.

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