When you have a postseason run like Rui Hachimura just did for the Los Angeles Lakers, especially in a big market during a contract year, it's going to draw serious eyeballs. Throughout the postseason, Hachimura was the Lakers' most consistent scoring threat outside of LeBron James and had a historic shooting streak.
Free agency is looming for the Japanese forward. It is unclear where he lies in the Lakers' list of priorities with both LeBron and Austin Reaves set to hit the market. As such, other suitors are starting to emerge.
One fanbase that is really starting to push the sign Hachimura agenda is the Portland Trail Blazers, who have been searching for reliable perimeter scoring for years. After being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, Portland is expected to be aggressive. That could mean using their Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception ($15.1 Million) on Hachimura.
If the Blazers don't make a trade this offseason, their number 1 priority should be to sign Rui Hachimura.
— SleeperTrailBlazers (@SleeperBlazers) May 13, 2026
They could offer the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception ($15.1 Million) on a 4 year deal.
Rui is age 28, shot 44.3% on 3PT FG, & previously played with Deni in Washington. https://t.co/AwYK5FAWV5 pic.twitter.com/ktLdC1ds8G
Given how strong Hachimura rounded out the regular season and how he only added to the narrative that he is a real playoff riser, $15 million annually is likely nowhere near his current price range.
Blazers fans should pump the brakes on Rui Hachimura dreams
This postseason, Hachimura made NBA history, jumping to first all-time in playoff 3-point percentage with a career average of 51.6 percent from beyond the arc. On top of that, during the Lakers' playoff run, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 stocks (steals + blocks), while shooting 56.9 percent from deep on 5.8 attempts per game.
He also did everything he could in Game 4 of the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder to keep the series alive. Rui was diving for loose balls and hitting massive triples, including a four-point play late in the fourth.
The Lakers wouldn't have jumped ahead 3-0 against the Houston Rockets if it weren't for the 22-point showing Hachimura had in Game 3 of that series.
Those types of performances in the playoffs, while being in a massive market like LA, give Hachimura's representation so much leverage when negotiating his next contract. Rui is more likely to be searching for an annual salary near the $20 million range than the Non-Taxpayer MLE.
On paper, the Blazers would love to have Hachimura and his shooting ability, given they finished bottom three in 3-point percentage this past season. Real life isn't NBA 2K.
You can't adjust sliders to make players sign for less money. Price tags aren't just based on a rating, they are based on what you've done for me lately.Â
It may not seem super likely that Hachimura will be wearing the purple and gold to start the 2026-27 season. But what is even less likely is for him to be wearing a Blazers jersey next year.
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