The 2026 NBA Playoffs have created plenty of storylines for the Los Angeles Lakers. Whether it's JJ Redick solidifying himself as a top-five coach in the league, LeBron James' potential final lap in LA, Austin Reaves’ uncertain future, or the never-ending Deandre Ayton saga, the Lakers have no shortage. Even with that, Rui Hachimura may still be the most intriguing of the bunch.
This postseason, the Japanese forward is averaging 16.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 54.8 percent from the field and an even crazier 57.1 percent from deep. Hachimura's efficiency from beyond the arc has single-handedly won games for this Lakers team during this playoff run.
In Game 6 against the Houston Rockets, he shot 71.4 percent on his triples. His unbelievable touch from deep during this run has also leapfrogged him to first in the all-time playoff 3-point percentage, with his career average now at 51.1 percent.
Although this has been great for the Lakers, and more specifically Hachimura as he continues to build a reputation as a playoff riser, he is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Reality is starting to set in that Hachimura may have played himself out of the Lakers' price range this offseason.
Rui Hachimura can hear the money drop into his pockets after Lakers run
Hachimura has been unbelievable this postseason. Even prior to this run, he was always someone who kicked things into a new gear come playoff time.
However, the Lakers are going to have to decide on the futures of LeBron, Reaves, Luke Kennard, and potentially Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, who both have player options. It feels like Hachimura just isn't going to be a top priority.
If the Lakers go out in four games to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which looks more possible than ever with LA falling down 0-2, all the leverage in negotiations will be on Hachimura's side. Outside of only LeBron, he has been the team's most consistent scoring option, and he could leverage that and feel he fits into that $17-$22 million per year range.
Sure, that's all speculative, but these big-time contract negotiations go like that, especially after a player has a very impressive playoff run. We've seen it in the past.
The Washington Wizards gave Davis Bertans five years and $80 million in 2020. The Portland Trail Blazers gave Allen Crabbe four years, $75 million in 2016. The Miami Heat gave Duncan Robinson five years, $90 million in 2020.
All three of these contracts came after elite 3-point shooting seasons, but as the contracts aged, criticism began to fly about other parts of their games. Calling out bad defense, lack of playmaking, and streaky shooting.
When you pay someone big-time money to be a shooter, it rarely works because, while the shooting is the reason you paid them, with more money comes higher expectations. This process almost always ends in disaster as the front office is left feeling robbed and the player is left feeling disrespected.
Shooting is at a serious premium in the modern NBA, but the Lakers may be forced to ask themselves whether they can afford to pay that. Or, are they better off rounding out this roster with a true center, a real wing defender, and finding plug-and-play shooters?
I would go with the latter, but I’m not Rob Pelinka.
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