The Los Angeles Lakers are not extending Rui Hachimura, and they do not need to meet in a boardroom to figure it out. His contract is too valuable as it is, and the team wants to keep flexibility for bigger moves down the line.
Los Angeles will prioritize flexibility over Rui Hachimura extension
Hachimura’s current expiring deal makes him one of the Lakers’ most useful trade chips. Locking him into a long-term contract now would remove that flexibility just when they might need it most. It is not about his play; it is about what the Lakers can do with him.
Make no mistake, Hachimura has been a solid player for the most part. Since coming from the Washington Wizards back in January 2023, he has averaged 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds on efficient shooting. He stretches the floor well and is able to play his role.
At times, he has contributed greatly, but there have been worries with his inconsistency. Playing for Los Angeles, those worries are hard to account for, especially when the front office is thinking a few steps ahead.
The Lakers have already reshaped their roster in bold ways. Flipping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, adding Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia. All these moves this team has made recently are aimed at making the team better immediately, while keeping room to maneuver.
Hachimura’s value is not necessarily in the minutes he plays but in the leverage his contract provides. The Western Conference is crowded, and having inconsistent play simply will not cut it.
Teams that are slightly younger or deeper can exploit the Lakers’ gaps. At the end of the day, having a tradable piece like Hachimura gives Los Angeles options to upgrade or make a splash at the right moment.
While Hachimura has earned his spot and delivered on the court at times in a big way, the Lakers’ decision is not only about him; it is also about timing and strategy.
The extension question might feel urgent, but the answer is already clear. Hachimura’s future is not in a new contract with the purple and gold at the moment. It is in what his expiring deal allows the team to do next, and for Los Angeles, that is precisely the plan.