Rui Hachimura is eligible for a contract extension, but the Lakers aren’t expected to pursue a new deal before training camp opens next month, reporter Jovan Buha stated on his latest Buha’s Block podcast (YouTube link).
“With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks,” Buha said. “It’s certainly possible that something happens, but I would say most of what’s been out there is them wanting to keep the books clean and wanting to see whether he starts or whether he’s their sixth man and how the pieces fit this year.”
The 27-year-old power forward became eligible for an extension when the NBA’s new calendar year began on July 6. He currently has an $18,259,259 expiring contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer if he doesn’t work out a new deal with L.A.
Hachimura has been a valuable contributor for the Lakers since he was acquired from Washington in January of 2023. He became a full-time starter last season and averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 59 games with .509/.413/.770 shooting numbers.
Hachimura’s future will be affected by the Lakers’ well-known desire to preserve cap space for the summer of 2027. Luka Doncic currently holds the team’s only significant contract that extends past the 2026/27 season, although Jarred Vanderbilt will have a $13.3MM player option that summer.
Whether it’s through an extension or a new contract in free agency, L.A.’s front office will eventually have to decide whether locking up a valuable asset like Hachimura is worth sacrificing some cap room in a summer that could feature a historically great free agent class.
This undersized tweener PF should be playing SF
Strangely, Rui is not a better player than he was in Washington, despite being a much better shooter. His rebounding is even worse these days, especially considering he is often used as a small-ball 5; he’s a PF that doesn’t make power plays; he draws even fewer free throws than he did when he was younger; he uses his size worse than he did as a rookie; he doesn’t use his biggest strength – the ability of getting himself free/finding pockets of space nowhere near as much anymore, and just dangles around the perimeter.
If he had his personality transplanted from Giannis, he’d be a heck of a player.
As a Wiz fan, I will always dislike him for faking mental health issues to force his way out.
Yet his box plus/minus, VORP, win shares, three-point percentage, field goal percentage, and rebounding have all improved since his time in Washington.
It’s also unfair to say he faked his mental health issues. It’s the same situation as Ben Simmons, none of us truly know what he was going through in their lives at the time.
Agree with the mental health part but being so tied up in analytics like its the be all and end all is a little dangerous. LBJ plus minus last season, -54 yet was 3rd all NBA….go figure.
My bad, LBJ was all 2nd team. Wow, how? The only guy in 1st, 2nd and 3rd team with a minus plus minus.
Chucktoad
Landry Shamet was getting his win shares on winning Phoenix and NY teams, and was not getting any in tanking Washington, despite being the same player. Mykhailiuk too, when he was in Boston. Some of those advanced stats reflect team performance, and need to be interpreted accordingly.
Rui is a much improved shooter, it’s a fact. He’s not improved or regressed at many other things, so in the end he’s different, but not really a clearly better player. He’s decent, as he was decent in Washington, just in a different way.
Maybe I’m a bit biased since I dislike him.
Shooting splits are not everything there is to this game. If it was the case, Seth Curry would have enjoyed the same career as his brother.
Because he is playing out of position at PF. Just like how Scottie Barnes, Murray on the Kings, Patrick Williams, Ingram, any player shorter than 6’9 (Draymond Green doesn’t count) etc etc etc are not improving and should all be small forwards
By this era standards Scottie Pippen could be playing PF and Dennis Rodman a C…..not
Steve Kerr would be on the all defensive team in this era
PG. 6’1+
SG. 6’6+
SF. 6’7+
PF. 6’9+
C . 6’11+ are the gold standards
Luke – How does wingspan factor into the Gold Standard for Player Height? I recommend a new Gold Standard of Standing Reach Plus Vertical. Let’s get on this, B-ball Reference
Peter
I didn’t watch much Rui on Wiz or Gonzaga but Ive been super impressed with everything he has done for the Lakers from jump street. Phil Handy (the man) really took him under his wing in the first couple weeks post trade and did some good work –
I think the issue is he’s never really more than the 4th option on the floor, it’s almost taken away his personal game to become a good team/ role player (which he has Imo)
He attacks closeouts soo soo well, and he shoots 3’s so so so well if you dont close out – Its a pretty narrow range yes, but he does it really really well and doesn’t ever really try to do too much .
I Imagine in a different setting he could expand his game more for better or worse …but he’s kinda doing what he’s been asked and doing it very well
I think he’s underated a hair on D, he;s guarded Joker very very well up to the 3 spot. Nothing outstanding but a broad portfolio there . He does absolutely get lost sometimes day dreaming and its kinda just become (sorta) comical at points…. But those moments tend to be in lower stress regular season games and his attention does get better in higher profile games –
Cap & Crunch
I don’t think he wants his role to be expanded. He found his niche, and wants to stay in it. The fact he draws so few fouls hints at it.
When he was in Washington, he was attempting to make more winning plays inside the arc (for example, find a ball somewhere in the paint, and finish at the rim or with a midi-jumper), was rebounding more and generally was more engaged on both ends. He was actually cutting more, and it was more organic within the flow of the attack, especially when Westbrook was there. Now, it’s like he’s thinking “I’ll wait for 15-20 seconds on the perimeter and see what Reaves/LeBron/Luka do. If they don’t make anything happen, I’ll cut”. He does less good stuff now, but it’s offset by better shooting.
In LA, he’s not bad, not great and not a bargain. He’s certainly better than that guy Vanderbilt (what a weird player), but that’s hardly a high bar to clear…
Rui is definitely replaceable. Sign and trade or just let him go. That guy isn’t helping Luka get a ring. Meanwhile, the Vanderbilt contract is extremely team friendly going forward. Keep that guy.
@Nrg82
Who can they reasonably trade him for that’s better?
The Lakers need 3 pt shooting, and he shot 48.4% on 6.2 attempts in the playoff loss to the Wolves. In today’s market, $18.3 mil/yr for that good of a shooter who can still play some defense is a steal. Only $6 mil more than Vando, who is a good rebounder and defender but is useless offensively. (That’s why Vando only played 16 min/gm in the reg and 12/gm in the Wolves series.
Another analytics guy, SMH. cap space to build around Luka and make a real splash when they can is far more important. How about Vanderbilt (already on the roster and friendly contract) or say a PJ Washington? Leakers need to get rid of LBJ and Rui. Some defense, huh. (HELLO) Defense like LeBron or Rui? Clearly playing Bron at the 5 and Rui at the 4 is doing wonders. The Fakers are already building around Luka, who isn’t exactly the all defensive type. Bye bye Bron and Rui.
So you forgot they signed Ayton and think the Mavs would trade PJ Washington (who only played 57 games due to injuries). He’s in a contract year and the Mavs will likely extend him rather than let him be a UFA.
Luka needs 3 pt shooting, Lebron won’t play the 5, and if Vando could be effective why didn’t Redick play him?
Rui hasn’t progressed as much as he should have by now. Came into L to be more a 3. As he was still learning the game. Started playing late in life. His handle never improved. So really had to be more a 4 now. His rebounding has never improved. I see him more as a bench player at this point. Not consistent enough to start for me. Not worth starters money. I see him getting moved this year.
Completely agree…I compare Rui to PJ Washington, who is free agent next off season I believe. Similar contracts but for me PJ is far more polished and deserves a better contract.
I don’t really like bringing up comparisons just to put someone down.
Both P.J. Washington and Rui Hachimura are excellent stretch wings.
I think Rui is a great fit in LA. Some talk about him being a PF, but he’s mostly playing SF. Shooting is good, D is getting better. They need role players and that he is. Vando is great when he brings the energy, but if he doesn’t, he’s worthless on offense and it’s awful. I’m excited to see how this looks with Smart and Ayton. Can’t wait for season to start. I think Lakers want to see a full year of Rui with Luka and I wouldn’t count it out that they resign him as a FA.