Last week, numerous reports said that the Washington Wizards were looking to trade away forward Rui Hachimura, who has been with the team since being drafted in 2019.
Now just days later, it sounds like they have found a suitor for the young star: the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN Sources with @RamonaShelburne: The Wizards are in advanced talks on a trade to send forward Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/fdyrE9hlTf
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023
ESPN is reporting that the Lakers are now in “advanced talks” for Hachimura.
Adrian Wojnarowksi is stating that the “final stages” of the trade include a package that has three second-round picks.
Other reports state that Kendrick Nunn will be sent to Washington as part of the deal.
Hachimura has been averaging 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game on a strong 48.8% from the field.
But it’s clear that the Wizards don’t have a place for him anymore and he hasn’t started in a single game so far this season.
The Lakers are interested in adding to their shooting prowess so Hachimura’s field goal percentage was obviously intriguing to them.
Losing Nunn is something LA can live with as he has been producing just 6.7 points and 1.4 rebounds a game.
Additionally, the fact that the team doesn’t have to part with their first-round picks only sweetens the deal and attracts the Lakers even more.
Hachimura was the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Since joining the Wizards, he has shown some impressive skills but hasn’t really come into his own as the team expected.
With this trade, the Wizards seem to be putting all their chips on other players on the roster, such as Kyle Kuzma.
The Lakers are hoping they can nurture Hachimura’s game and turn him into the star he can be.
