The Los Angeles Lakers could lose Rui Hachimura in free agency, and the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the biggest threat to landing him after Jake Fischer reported their interest on Saturday. The defending Western Conference champs have a clear need at the four and figure to be in the thick of title contention for years to come. Rui feels like the ideal fit in San Antonio, especially if the Spurs offer the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
The Lakers are in a tricky spot. They have cap space, but it isn’t what it seems. LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, and Max Kleber are all unrestricted free agents. Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton have player options. LA has to sort out which players return before knowing how much they actually have to improve their roster.
The Lakers have transformed Hachimura into an elite shooter. He shot 44.3 percent from 3-point range last season and 41.5 percent in his 228 games since coming to Los Angeles. Having a 6’8 sharpshooter would interest any contender, and the fate fans have predicted may soon help the rival Spurs.
Spurs are the biggest threat to sign Rui Hachimura away from the Lakers
San Antonio has all the ingredients to win the bidding. Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle are still on rookie contracts, so they are currently under the cap. The Spurs must upgrade over Harrison Barnes after the veteran struggled to stick in the playoff rotation. Their questionable shooting and need at power forward should have them chasing Hachimura.
The 6’8 forward doesn’t miss in the playoffs. He is a 51.6 percent 3-point shooter over 157 attempts. This is a 41-game sample at this point. Lakers fans know Hachimura has become an elite shooter, but the playoff numbers don’t even sound real.
Los Angeles can’t keep LeBron and Rui this summer. They must upgrade their roster around Luka Doncic. The Lakers are searching for a difference-making center and trying to find wing help. LA locked in Austin Reaves long-term, but there is still work to do in building around their star duo.
Hachimura isn’t the perfect fit. He struggles to rebound and has defensive issues. Despite Rui barely missing a shot in the playoffs, the purple and gold had a negative-5.4 net rating with him on the floor and were 2.8 points per 100 possessions better without him.
The Lakers know Hachimura is a flight risk, but they don’t want to see him land in San Antonio. The Spurs and Thunder are Los Angeles’ main competition for West supremacy during Luka’s prime. Strengthening either one of those teams is not what anyone in Los Angeles wants.
The Los Angeles Lakers want Rui Hachimura back, but they likely don’t have the money to keep him. They must upgrade their roster and find a center. Fischer noted the Spurs and Nets had interest in Rui, but only one of those teams is a serious title contender. Expect Hachimura to jump at that chance if his talks with the Lakers sour.
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