Lakers lose Rui Hachimura, who signs two-year deal

Rui Hachimura turned the latest Lakers participant to transfer on, agreeing to a two-year, $28-million deal with the Clippers on Monday, people acquainted with the deal but not licensed to converse publicly on the matter confirmed to The Times.

Hachimura performed at a high stage for the Lakers in the playoffs, averaging 17.5 factors per recreation in 10 postseason video games, the third-highest average on the workforce.

He was a lights-out shooter, making 54.9 % of his discipline objectives and a scorching 56.9 % of his three-pointers, which ranked him fifth in three-point taking pictures during the NBA playoffs.

According to people acquainted with the workforce but not licensed to converse publicly, some members of the Clippers teaching employees appreciated how Hachimura performed and thought he can be a good pickup because of his taking pictures and athleticism.

The Lakers acquired Hachimura, 28, from the Washington Wizards in Jan. 2023. He spent three-plus seasons with the Lakers and was a favourite of his teammates.

His skill to knock down three-pointers from the nook opened up issues for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both of whom might rely on Hachimura to be prepared to catch and shot even when he didn’t get many touches.

Over 68 video games last season with the Lakers, 41 as a starter, Hachimura averaged 11.5 factors and shot 51.4 % from the sphere and 44.3 % from three-point vary.

He began all 10 playoff video games for the Lakers, scoring a playoff-high 25 factors against the Thunder in 43 minutes, going nine-for-15 from the sphere, four-for-eight from three-point vary.