The Los Angeles Lakers are mistakenly chasing restricted free agent big men, but they should be all-in on bringing back Rui Hachimura to start at the four. LeBron James informed LA he was moving on, and the Lakers signed nobody on the opening night of free agency. This is a crucial summer where upgrades were promised to Luka Doncic. So far, Los Angeles has done nothing and has two gigantic holes to fill.
Rumors suggest the Lakers did win two bidding wars, but the deals were never announced. The franchise is chasing Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler to give Doncic the center he desires. Both are restricted free agents, and their teams are rumored to match any offer. The Lakers can’t count on getting either. They need a center upgrade over Deandre Ayton, but the route to acquire one is a trade.
In free agency, the Lakers must address the power forward position. They can’t afford to let LeBron and Hachimura walk in the same offseason. They are rumored to be getting Sandro Mamukelashvili, but he is a reserve big man. LA needs a starter, and Hachimura is the best available option.
Lakers must re-sign Rui Hachimura in free agency
Hachimura is the best option for the Lakers at the four. Tobias Harris is arguably the best available power forward, but he is five years older than Rui. Hachimura is familiar playing with Luke and Austin Reaves. He is a lights-out shooter that deserves a starting role. All of those factors should give Rui the edge on the Lakers' white board.
The Lakers should give him $20 million per year to outbid the contenders capable of offering the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Hachimura would still have trade value on a four-year contract worth $80 million. It would allow LA to lock in his prime years and get an elite shooter with size around Luka. Jake Fischer reported that Hachimura is likely to join LeBron in leaving the Lakers (subscription required) this summer.
It was a slow opening day, and the Lakers must act now. Hachimura is drawing interest from multiple teams and consider other offers. He will soon be off the board if LA doesn't up their offer and make a deal happen.
The Lakers promised Luka Doncic upgrades, but they are on the verge of downgrading their roster. LeBron James and Luke Kennard are gone. Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Jaxson Hayes are unrestricted free agents. All LA has done is re-sign Austin Reaves on a max contract and draft Cameron Carr with the 24th overall pick. They must upgrade their talent, but that starts with keeping the core together.
Hachimura will be better with LeBron gone. Both play power forward at this stage and have to guard similar players on defense. The fit between them always had warts. With King James leaving LA, Hachimura could play over 30 minutes per game, and his defense should improve.
The Los Angeles Lakers must re-sign Rui Hachimura on day two of free agency. Day one was a disaster. LeBron announced his departure and Luke Kennard signed with the rival Suns. LA lost out on signing Dean Wade and Keon Ellis, while not acquiring a single player. It was a awful, but the purple and gold can quickly right the ship. They have cap space and must use it wisely.
Bringing back Rui is a strong start. He solves their power forward issues and puts an elite shooter around Luka. The Lakers have to make this happen before it is too late.
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