Trade talks – Lakers trade for Wizards’ Rui Hachimura

According to recent reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks to acquire Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. The price for the 24-year-old forward is believed to be guard Kendrick Nunn and multiple second-round picks.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that L.A. offered Nunn and two second-rounders to Washington on Friday, but the Wizards initially turned it down in hopes of getting a first-round pick for Hachimura, who was drafted ninth overall in 2019.

However, an agreement was reached on Monday when the Lakers added another second-rounder to their offer. The trade is expected to be finalized this afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Specifics on the picks involved haven’t been released yet, but Bobby Marks of ESPN points out that L.A. has seven second-rounders available, including its own and Chicago’s in this year’s draft.

Hachimura, who is averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season, never developed into a star in Washington. However, he has been a solid rotation player throughout his time with the Wizards.

The Wizards didn’t sign Hachimura to a rookie scale extension before the October deadline, so he’ll be a free agent this summer. The Lakers can make him restricted, giving them the right to match any offer he receives, by making a $7.7M qualifying offer.

According to Basketball writer Marc Stein, Washington was willing to part with Hachimura because of increased confidence that it will be able to re-sign Kyle Kuzma after he turns down his player option.