The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards have reportedly swung a big trade.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers finalized a a trade, which would send guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to Washington, in exchange for Rui Hachimura.
Charania reports that the Lakers are sending a 2023 second-round pick (via the Chicago Bulls), their own 2029 second-rounder and the Wizards/Lakers’ less favorable second-rounder in 2028.
Hachimura, the former No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft missed Monday’s practice due to personal reasons, Wizards head coach Wes Undseld Jr. said via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and trade became more likely as Kyle Kuzma solidified himself as a priority to sign to a long-term deal in the Wizards front court.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023
“Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and trade became more likely as Kyle Kuzma solidified himself as a priority to sign to a long-term deal in the Wizards front court,” Wojnarowski wrote in a tweet.
The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer, according to Wojnarowski.
Hachimura is in his fourth season in the league after being drafted out of Gonzaga in 2019. He started 105 games in his first two seasons with the Wizards but has seen his role diminish since then. He’s only started 13 games since then and has yet to crack the starting lineup this season. In 30 games this season, Hachimura has averaged 13 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The NBA world had plenty to say about this trade. Check out all the reactions below:
Incredible how quickly a young player's value can decline. Rui Hachimura was the 9th pick in 2019, he's still just 24 years old, and scored 30 points literally just two nights ago.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 23, 2023
It's hard to judge young players in losing situations with star teammates who don't elevate anyone. But there have been enough flashes over the years to remain intrigued by Rui Hachimura's potential so I look forward to seeing how he performs with the Lakers next to LeBron James. https://t.co/Y9LNP3Ym1B
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 23, 2023
Lakers trading three seconds & Kendrick Nunn was a fair price to pay for Rui Hachimura, but it’s good news for buyers in the trade market that Hachimura didn’t get moved for a first. A reasonable first deal that sets the market.
Takeaway: Kyle Kuzma likely sticks in Washington.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) January 23, 2023
Pelinka and Jeanie after the Lakers traded Nunn for Rui Hachimura pic.twitter.com/ZssZOYKcLE
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 23, 2023
No Lakers* have made over 40% of their catch-and-shoot 3s this season
Rui Hachimura has made 85 of 206 (41.3%) catch-and-shoot 3s over his last two seasons.
*Among 7 with at least 100 such tries pic.twitter.com/IYtCsU2GRl
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) January 23, 2023
In Rui Hachimura’s last game with the Wizards, he tied his career-high with 30 points.
The Lakers now own Hachimura’s rights as a restricted free agent this summer. pic.twitter.com/Gzdpxo3RGM
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 23, 2023
Rui Hachimura is 6’8 230. The Lakers actually brought in a guy that fills a hole on the roster. Well done Pelinka. Well done.
— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) January 23, 2023
Lakers fans going to look up Rui Hachimura highlights: pic.twitter.com/2oA9jhz8Ym
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 23, 2023
[Shams Charania, Adrian Wojnarowski, Chase Hughes]
