Free agent forward Rui Hachimura has signed a 2 year, $28M deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers the team confirmed on Monday afternoon.
According to reports, Hachimura held offers from the Warriors, Timberwolves, Nets, and Spurs, but ultimately chose the Clippers so that he could remain in LA. It’s believed that the 28 year old and the Clippers had a verbal agreement in place in the early stages of free agency, but were hoping to complete a sign and trade with the Lakers.
When the Lakers did not cooperate on such a deal, Hachimura’s camp went ahead with a 2 year pact instead. The believed hang up on the sign and trade was the Lakers’ desire to receive draft compensation while the Clippers preferred to offer cash incentives instead.
The 6’9″ forward averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Lakers in 2025-26 while playing just over 28 minutes a night. Originally selected 9th overall int he 2019 Draft, Hachimura joined LA as part of the Kendrick Nunn trade during the 2022-23 campaign.
With the Hachimura deal now complete, the Clippers still have room to be able to pursue additional players in free agency or via trade. The team now has good length along the wings, but will likely still be in the market for another guard to play alongside/spell Darius Garland this fall.
Rumours have linked Denver’s Peyton Watson as a potential player of interest for LA if he and the Nuggets aren’t able to workout an extension. The Long Beach, CA native averaged 14.6pts/4.9reb/2.1ast per night for Denver this past season, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc.
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