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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5b2a613c353e3b98ee9bef09ad49fe3cff16880bdca9e940f9d3cfc6db16fd7d.jpg)
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.