Before the 2026 offseason truly arrived, there was a consistent message being sent out about Rui Hachimura's future with the Los Angeles Lakers. In short, the idea was that if anyone was going to get the boot from Hollywood among the free agents, it would be him. How the turntables have spun.
Dave McMenamin reported this about Hachimura's future in mid-June: "Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal."
Fast forward to the first couple of days in July and Hachimura has gone from odd man out to potentially the lone survivor.
LeBron James? Leaving. Marcus Smart? Signed with the Houston Rockets. Luke Kennard? Joined the Phoenix Suns. Jaxson Hayes? Newest member of the Utah Jazz. Maxi Kleber? Could be headed to Europe. You get the idea.
All this while Hachimura remains on the open market with rumors circulating about a potential return to the Lakers. Los Angeles should want their sharpshooting forward back, too, considering how perfectly he would plug into a starting forward spot with this new group. Pick up the phone, Rui.
Rui Hachimura could be the only Lakers free agent who returns
As listed above, the Lakers have experienced a max exodus from last year's team in favor of the new names arriving in Los Angeles. Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton are attempting to plug the holes created by all the departures.
As things stand, the Lakers would be slated to start Mamu at the four for next season. Perhaps that could work, but the utility of bringing Mamukelashvili off the bench could offer a lot more value to the rotation. That would still leave a starting spot unaccounted for.
To their credit, it does sound like the Lakers are working toward a scenario where they bring Hachimura back and potentially set him up to play that position. McMenamin offered insight on that developing situation in his latest ESPN report.
McMenamin wrote: "That Hachimura remains unsigned caused several league sources to wonder whether the Lakers are planning some sort of trade or using the stretch provision ... to be able to offer Hachimura more."
The Lakers insider mentioned that getting rid of Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton could be the pathway to opening up that extra money for Hachimura's next contract. Of the two, Vanderbilt is currently more dispensable.
Either way, there is good reason to believe Hachimura could be back for the 2026-27 season with the Lakers. That, in itself, is not too surprising. When coupling it with the fact of every other free agent leaving for a new home, Rui has been thrust into a complete 180 on his dynamic.
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