Lakers News: How Rui Hachimura Is Approaching Restricted Free Agency
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Following a stellar playoff run, Los Angeles Lakers power forward Rui Hachimura finds himself on the cusp of hitting restricted free agency when the 2023-24 season officially kicks off on July 1st.
Currently wrapping up a four-year rookie scale deal worth $20,341,348, the 25-year-old (formerly the ninth pick out of Gonzaga in 2019) seems likely to nearly double his entire NBA earnings to this point in the first season of his near deal.
Given all his (yes, two-way) promise as an athletic big who can nail shots from beyond the arc, in the midrange, and at the rim, and the way he compliments LA stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James, it seems highly likely the Lakers match whatever offer is tendered his way when he hits the market. He seems likely to net a multi-year deal worth something in the terrain of $15 million annually, per the very plugged-in Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Fischer actually believes that number is the floor of Hachimura's value.
While Hachimura was a bit more erratic as a shooter or defender during his 33 regular season contests with Los Angeles, he stepped up in the postseason, when it mattered most. If the playoff iteration of Hachimura represents his short-term future potential, he's absolutely worth retaining for the right price.
During a season wrap-up presser Tuesday, Hachimura was tactically diplomatic about what promises to be a very lucrative summer, wherever he lands.
“I think just like playing with LeBron, AD, especially us three on the floor it I think it was a really big impact against any team in the NBA," Hachimura said. "I think for sure the front office they’re of course looking for and of course I’m a free agent or whatever, but for me just these three months were good for me. I really had fun, I learned a lot of things from LeBron, AD, the coaches, the whole organization. So yeah, I just want to thank [the Lakers] for this opportunity."
“For me at the end of the day, I’ve always been good with my agents," he added. "Jason [Ranne] and [Darren Matsubara], they’re always being really grateful for me. We’re a team and we always make a good decision together. Honestly, I can’t say anything right now but I’m just gonna talk to them carefully and we’re gonna decide what we’re gonna do. I trust them a lot. I’m not saying it’s gonna be up to them, but their option’s gonna be really big.”
That certainly sounds encouraging, from a Lakers fan perspective, but of course most of LA's roster is hitting free agency, and while Hachimura and Austin Reaves are handily the most important pieces to retain this summer, the destinations of other free agents could greatly impact the front office's decision making when it comes to the fate of Hachimura.
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