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4 best Rui Hachimura free agent destinations after bonkers Lakers playoff run
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4 best Rui Hachimura free agent destinations after bonkers Lakers playoff run appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Lakers may have been swept in the Western Conference semifinals, but two postseason series were plenty enough time for Rui Hachimura to earn himself a big payday. The first Japanese player ever drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft played phenomenally in the playoffs, and now he is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason.
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The Lakers will likely undergo major changes this offseason. Austin Reaves will be one of the most sought-after players on the open market, and LeBron James may decide to leave Los Angeles , too. Luke Kennard , Jaxson Hayes , Marcus Smart , and Deandre Ayton are other players who are or can become free agents. The Lakers won't be able to return everybody, and they are certainly at risk of losing Hachimura. So, where could the Gonzaga product sign this offseason?
4. The New Orleans Pelicans make sense as a free agent destination
The Western Conference is stacked, and the New Orleans Pelicans are already behind the eight ball when it comes to competing for a playoff spot. They need to be aggressive in adding talent this offseason, and Hachimura makes a lot of sense as a free agent target. For starters, he'd provide shot creation that is too scarce on the rest of the roster.
Hachimura shot 56.9% from deep throughout the playoffs and was never below 50% from deep in a single playoff game this year. He averaged over 20 points in the Lakers' second-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder . The Japanese star also has a killer mid-range shot and is physical enough to score down low.
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Hachimura could take Saddiq Bey 's spot in New Orleans ' starting lineup. He'd also provide insurance for the often-injured Zion Williamson . New Orleans needs their former number one overall pick to reach his potential if they are to take the next step forward, but at this point, the team has to understand that Williamson is bound to miss time every season.
3. Rui Hachimura could sign with the Indiana Pacers
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The Indiana Pacers were expecting to walk away from the NBA Draft Lottery with a top four pick. When they fell out of the top-four, the protections on their pick were lifted, and the Los Angeles Clippers ended up with the fifth overall selection because of the Ivica Zubac trade. That was a big hit for Indiana's mini retool that they underwent during this gap year of sorts.
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The Pacers could try to make up for their lack of a draft pick by instead signing Hachimura, something that would probably have been unlikely had they had the opportunity to draft one of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, or Cameron Boozer . The Pacers were in the NBA Finals just last season, and Hachimura would help them get back on track. He played in plenty of big games for Los Angeles . Not only are the Lakers always in the spotlight, but he often elevated his level of play in each of their last four postseason runs.
2. A return to the Los Angeles Lakers
Among teams in contention, the Lakers are one of the few teams that will have money to play with this offseason. While there are a lot of players they will look to re-sign, and even more exterior targets they'd love to add , bringing Hachimura back should be one of their first orders of business.
The forward has played a key role for the Lakers over the years. He has started 146 games for the team and provided stability to a rotation that has been somewhat inconsistent. Plus, Los Angeles has been able to use Hachimura in a number of different ways. When the roster is depleted by injuries, he can be a primary scoring option. When fully healthy, Hachimura can be more of a catch-and-shoot threat. He has taken on tough defensive assignments, both on the wing and in the interior. The Lakers can't afford to let their Japanese star go.
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1. The Memphis Grizzlies are Rui Hachimura's best fit
The Memphis Grizzlies are set to have the most cap space in the NBA this offseason. They have undergone a rebuild that will be highlighted by draft picks added in the trades of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane , but they should also look to replenish the roster with free agents.
The Grizzlies could outbid other suitors for Hachimura's services. Over the last couple of years, the Grizzlies have been a mess, and they've played 20-to-30-plus players throughout the course of the 82-game season. Memphis needs stability, and Hachimura is a low-maintenance player who just does his job.
If the Grizzlies end up keeping Ja Morant , Hachimura is a player who could help the team be competitive over the coming years. If they continue the rebuild and end up trading Morant, then Hachimura could shoulder a big load on a bad team and ensure Memphis' young players don't fall astray. The Grizzlies need a great locker room presence, especially after the tragic passing of Brandon Clarke. Hachimura could provide that.
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