Wizards trade former lottery pick Rui Hachimura to Lakers

Rui Hachimura, a former lottery pick, has been dealt by the Wizards to theThe Los Angeles Lakers received forward Rui Hachimura in exchange for a package of draught selections from the Washington Wizards, the franchises said on Monday.In addition to guard Kendrick Nunn, the Lakers will send three second-round picks to Washington. The compensation consists of a 2023 pick via Chicago, a 2029 pick for the Lakers, and whichever 2028 second-rounder the Wizards and Lakers choose that is the least advantageous. On recent trade rumours, Hachimura, 24, stated on Saturday that he had "no reaction" and that he "simply wanted to go somewhere that wanted me as a basketball player." The ninth overall choice in the 2019 draught, Hachimura, struggled to reach his full potential during his fHachimura switched to a bench role this season after spending much of previous season on personal leave. He is shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three-point range while averaging 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 24.3 minutes.Before the deadline in October, The Wizards and Hachimura were unable to come to a contract extension agreement.In a statement, team president Tommy Sheppard stated, "We watched Rui grow as a professional throughout his time here and appreciate his efforts on and off the court." As he starts a new chapter in Los Angeles, we wish him the best.After star player LeBron James criticised the Lakers' roster earlier in the season, the team was in 12th place in the Western Conference entering Monday.

Throughout his career, Hachimura's defence has been a weakness, but his 6-foot-8, 230-pound physique offers an alluring combination of flexibility and toughness.The Lakers have the option to make him a restricted free agent this summer by making him a qualifying offer if he performs well after moving to a new city.According to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, "adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a priority, and the ability to achieve that by securing a player with Rui's two-way talents and promise was a situation that doesn't present itself frequently." We appreciate Kendrick Nunn's time spent playing for the Laker and send our best wishes to him and his family.The trade solves overpopulation at the power forward position for the Wizards (20-26), who are currently sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. With Kristaps Porzingis at power forward and Daniel Gafford at centre in Unseld's favourite lineup, Hachimura and third-year forward Deni Avdija, a lottery pick in 2020, are vying for minutes off the bench.

Washington recovered draught assets without paying any future salaries, which is crucial for the organisation as it analyses whether it can retain pricey core players Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma through this season, rather than taking the chance of losing Hachimura in free agency for nothing.As of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, Kuzma has attracted attention from numerous clubs despite his declaration last month that he will not sign an extension with the Wizards.Even though Washington has made it clear that it intends to maintain its third-leading scorer, Kuzma has emerged as a player of interest for several teams as the Feb. 9 trade deadline draws near. Kuzma stated last month that he will not sign an extension with the Wizards.Both an unrestricted free agent and a $36 million player option are available to Porzingis. The fact that Bradley Beal will make $46.7 million in the second year of his five-year maximum contract, further complicates matters. Owner Ted Leonsis has never once paid the luxury tax since acquiring the team in 2010, so keeping all three players would bring Washington closer to doing so.

But Washington had already checked off one task by getting Hachimura a new house.As trading partners, the Wizards and Lakers are not unfamiliar: A agreement was reached for 2021 that would have moved Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. Hachimura would be reunited with numerous former Wizards colleagues through this swap: He became good friends with Westbrook in Washington, along with Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown Jr. Nunn, 27, struggled to find a reliable and useful position with the Lakers this season after missing 2021–2022 due to a knee injury. In 39 games, the goal-oriented guard has averaged 6.7 points while shooting just 40.6 percent overall and 32.5 percent from outside the arc. He is in the second of a two-year, $10.3 million deal, and this summer he will be an unrestricted free agent. Kendrick "has demonstrated the capacity to a reliable perimeter threat with the ability to instantly launch an attack as a backup, Sheppard added. "During his brief career, he has demonstrated that he is a vital contributor."