Lakers News: NBA Insider Weighs In on Rui Hachimura’s Long Term Future in LA

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have a monumental season ahead of them. 

More news: Lakers’ LeBron James, Mavs’ Anthony Davis Send Internet Into Frenzy With Social Media Posts

The Lakers have two superstars to lead them next season, and they go by the names of LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Doncic is the present and future of the team at 26 years old.

All eyes will be on Doncic and rightfully so. While that is the case, others on the Lakers will need to step it up not only for the team's sake but for their own sake. 

One of those players who will be looked upon to step up big time is Rui Hachimura. Hachimura is entering the final season of his three-year, $51 million contract. 

He is a valuable trade asset if the Lakers choose to deal him in a trade. That has yet to happen, but an excellent season could do wonders for the 27-year-old if he wants to stay in LA long-term. 

Dan Woike of The Athletic shared how exactly Hachimura could stay in LA long-term, if that's what he truly wants. 

"Another good season and you could argue that he should be with the Lakers for another multi-year stint, even if it eats into some of their future flexibility. But if the defensive gains weren’t real and the shooting suffers (it’s been two full seasons of being really good), keeping the books clean becomes the better option." 

More news: Asking Price for Top Reported Trade Target Revealed

Hachimura is set to earn $18 million this season. He is a solid player and is on an expiring deal, which makes him an ideal trade asset. 

The Lakers failed to make a trade this summer, but one could be in line this season that could ship Hachimura out of LA. However, if Hachimura proves that he is too vital to get rid of, then he could be safe in LA for a long time. 

He and Doncic lineup in terms of timeline. For the most part, Hachimura has proved that he could be a top-five player on a championship team. 

In his Lakers tenure, Hachimura has averaged 12.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 steals while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc in 160 games and 27.7 minutes of action. 

His defense is a bit suspect, and if he can improve on that end, LA would love to keep him for possibly the rest of his career. 

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.