Grading every trade Rob Pelinka has made for the Los Angeles Lakers
Grading the Lakers’ 2023 trade:
- 1/23/2022: Traded Kendrick Nunn, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Wizards for Rui Hachimura | GRADE: B+
This is a tough one to gauge, being that it just recently occurred and Hachimura has only suited up for the Lakers in three games. However, there are a few things to consider with this one. For starters, Kendrick Nunn was going to be traded at some point, and getting anything back for him would have been acceptable.
His time in Los Angeles was never pleasant. Second, Pelinka has been under a lot of pressure this season to make some type of trade. He was going to have to orchestrate something, somehow, someway. Regardless of whether he made the decision to utilize the 2027/2029 first-round picks in a trade, he had to make something happen to show the fanbase (and LeBron) that he is working to improve this roster.
Third, despite the Lakers’ love for second-rounders, 3 second-round picks for a 24-year-old, former 9th-overall pick looks like a shot worth taking. They can worry about Hachimura’s restricted free agency in the offseason, but for now, they can test him in the frontcourt alongside LeBron and AD to observe the pros and cons.
While he has not established himself as a bonafide star in the league, Rui has put up solid numbers since being drafted, is a 6’8″ wing that can capably defend multiple positions (very much needed on this roster), and should have a wealth of open looks coming his way alongside the stars.
