The Los Angeles Lakers have bolstered their lineup by acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
Hachimura’s move follows a challenging year with the Wizards, where he has been coming off the bench in every game this season. Unable to secure a rookie-deal contract extension, Hachimura was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the NBA season.
“I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,” said the 2019 ninth overall draft pick from Gonzaga. “I want to be somewhere that likes my game … somewhere that believes in me and where I can be myself. That’s my goal.”
The Lakers, seeking additional support for Anthony Davis and LeBron James, anticipate that Hachimura will get more playing time and potentially start more games than he did with the Wizards.
Despite his bench role, Hachimura has averaged 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game this season, shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three.
“Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui’s two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often,” said Lakers general manager and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka in a statement.
While Hachimura could still become a restricted free agent after the season, it is expected that the Lakers will secure him with an extension this summer.
Nunn, in his second season with the Lakers and fourth in the NBA, missed all of last year due to a knee injury and has been playing a reserve role this season, averaging 6.7 points in 39 games.