That officially does it. The Los Angeles Lakers had LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, and Nick Smith Jr. hit free agency. All of them have either already departed or are expected to be gone. The latest Hachimura news sealed the deal on that.
Shams Charania reported: "Just in: Free agent Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN."
Charania added this could have been a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers did not cooperate. The other Los Angeles team was stated to have come to 'an understanding' with Rui's agent early in free agency. Eventually, Hachimura and the Clippers moved on without Rob Pelinka and company.
Rui Hachimura's exit is the final nail in the coffin for the Lakers' own free agents
Let us do a quick round-up here. Excluding Austin Reaves, who reached an agreement with the Lakers before the free agency period began, Los Angeles had a handful of players hit the open market with no return in sight. All of them are either gone or otherwise not expected to return.
Hachimura is a Clipper. LeBron told the franchise he is headed elsewhere. Smart joined the Houston Rockets. Kennard signed with the Phoenix Suns. Hayes was poached by the Utah Jazz. Smith had his team option declined and has seen no action since. Kleber is rumored to be exploring a move to the EuroLeague.
When adding in the Deandre Ayton trade, the Lakers will not have a single player returning from the starting lineup that was featured for the majority of the Houston Rockets series. That included James, Hachimura, Ayton, Smart, and Kennard.
All of this, in itself, is not necessarily bad. However, there is certainly risk in completely ripping up the script you had last season and going in a whole new direction. The Lakers are limiting the continuity around their two franchise stars, Luka Doncic and Reaves.
In some cases, that is a good thing. Nabbing someone like Walker Kessler gives the Lakers a clear upgrade over Ayton at the starting center position.
In other instances, there is some confusion regarding why the partnership could not have continued. Hachimura offered a solid fit beside Doncic and Reaves. As did a proven presence like Smart. The Lakers are opting to go without either.
There is risk involved in that type of strategy. With Hachimura, and everyone else, exiting, the Lakers will largely be forced to start from scratch with the team next season. That will inevitably come with growing pains as the roster is forced to mesh.
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