It looks like the NBA trade season is in full swing. The Los Angeles Lakers have traded Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojanlowski. In return, the Lakers will reportedly send back Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
Hachimura was selected ninth overall by Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played heavily in his first two seasons, appearing in a total of 105 games, but that number fell off a cliff in his 2021–2022 season. He appeared in just his 13 games that season, making a total of 42 appearances. He has played 30 games this season and has started 0 games.
The Wizards reportedly began considering trade options for Hachimura about a week ago, but the writing has been on the wall since the start of the season. Back in October, the Wizards didn’t offer Hachimura a rookie extension. became.
Losing the Wizards is a win for the Lakers. Los Angeles needs more players to bolster their troubled thin roster, and Hachimura meets his one of their biggest needs.
When asked about the possibility of being traded last weekend, Hachimura seemed pretty optimistic about the whole thing. It didn’t seem to work.
“I had to play my game,” Hachimura said after scoring 30 points in his last game as a Wizards player against the Orlando Magic. I can help the team win,” he said. “Either here or the other team. I can help the team.”
