NBANews

Lakers’ Current Stance On Re-Signing Rui Hachimura

Lakers’ Current Stance On Re-Signing Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura proved to be instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers’ midseason turnaround.

Thanks in no small part to his contributions, particularly in the playoffs, L.A. went from being a bottom two team in the West early in the year to landing in the Western Conference Finals by season’s end.

Hachimura averaged 12.2 points per game on 55.7 percent shooting from the field and 48.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc in the playoffs, all the while serving as one of Los Angeles’ best and more versatile defenders.

The timing for Hachimura’s breakout couldn’t be better. He is a restricted free agent this summer, and at least three teams have expressed interest in prying him away from the Lakers.

So what are the chances he remains in purple and gold past this summer?

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it’s “dicey.”

“Initially, I heard he turned down a contract extension offer from Washington that was in that $14-15 million range (annually)…

“He stepped up big time in the playoffs. If Austin [Reaves] was their third-best player most nights, I’d say Rui was their fourth-best player most nights,” he continued.

“I think his market is anywhere in that $15-18 million range annually. In that range, the Lakers would retain him. I think where it gets a little dicey is if there’s a team that sells themselves on Rui and offers three years, $60 million or four years, $80 million.”

Hachimura, for his part, said during his exit interviews that he loved playing for the Lakers.

“It was one of the best times of my life,” he said.

“Literally three months ago, four months ago I was in a different team in the east coast and all of a sudden I’m here in LA, one of the biggest team in the NBA and making this crazy run.”

That said, business is still business.

And while Hachimura may be fond of Los Angeles, ultimately, he will follow the money.

Will the Lakers offer Hachimura enough cash to stay in purple and gold past this offseason? One away or the other, an answer will emerge soon enough.

Related: Steve Kerr’s Low-Key Jab At Warriors Star Jordan Poole

Carlos Garcia

A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
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