The Los Angeles Lakers have finally made a move as they close in on completing a trade for Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, as the team appears to be responding to LeBron James' reported desire for the team to make trades this season rather than wait for cap space next year.
Hachimura has been on a scoring tear recently and even dropped 30 points in the Wizards’ dominant win over Orlando Magic. He has been linked with a move away from the capital for some time, and even addressed trade rumours over the weekend by saying he wants to play for a team that ‘believes’ in him.
Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and trade became an increasingly likely scenario as former Lakers star Kyle Kuzma solidified himself as a priority to sign to a long-term deal in the Washington front court. The 24-year-old is making just $6.26million this season.
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Lakers are finalising a trade to acquire Hachimura from the Wizards. The Lakers - who have been linked with a number of blockbuster moves to beef up their roster - will send guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Wizards for the Japanese star’s services.
After matching his career-best single-game scoring record, Hachimura added: “I just got to play my game. I know what I can do, and I can help the team to win. It's either here or other team. I can help teams.”
Hachimura is a fourth-year player in the league since the Wizards decided to draft him out of Gonzaga with the ninth overall pick in 2019. Since failing to agree his rookie extension Hachimura has not started a game this season after starting in 105 contests in his first two years in the NBA.
The trade is a shred move from the Lakers, who faced pressure from star player LeBron James to add more talent to the roster as they sit 12th in the Western Conference and hope to compete for a playoff berth. The franchise suffered a horrible start to the season but have battled back while navigating a frustrating injury to Anthony Davis in December.
According to reports, Davis is eyeing a return before the All-Star break next month. The Lakers’ reliance on stars like James and Russell Westbrook has been evident recently, and the trade could help the duo shoulder the burden of dragging the franchise up the standings.
On Sunday night, the Lakers secured a crucial 121-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with James scoring 37 points alongside 11 rebounds. Thomas Bryant dropped 31 points himself as the Lakers won successive matches following their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
James and the 22-25 Lakers are next in action against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
