The Los Angeles Lakers graciously handed a three-year, $165 million contract extension to their 26-year-old superstar Luka Dončić on Saturday, officially ushering in a new era of Lakers basketball.
Dončić's agreement to the deal came in the midst of a productive summer for the Lakers, as the franchise also welcomed a few new faces into the fold to support both he and 21-time All-Star LeBron James in 2025-26.
Even after their acquisitions of former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Deandre Ayton, and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner, Marcus Smart in free agency, the Lakers could have another massive decision left to make.
Los Angeles' general manager Rob Pelinka will surely be exploring each and every opportunity to improve the team's rotation, and recent updates have indicated that their 6-year veteran forward Rui Hachimura could be dealt to address some of the team's glaring deficiencies.
"Rui Hachimura is not a terrible basketball player," ClutchPoints' RB Hayek wrote Friday afternoon.
"Despite this, Hachimura is still possibly one of the Lakers' trade candidates."
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
"The only scenario that sees the Lakers trade Hachimura would include a major need for a top-tier player, or someone who can win the board battle. Because they already have James, Doncic, and Reaves as shooters, the need for another one is not high."
The 27-year-old former No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards contributed 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds while connecting on a blistering 41.3% of his three-point attempts in 2024-25, but his wonderful campaign might not save him from eventually being placed on the Lakers' trade block.
Hachimura's versatile skillset and lethal accuracy from distance provided plenty of support for the Lakers' generational tandem of Dončić and James, but his lack of rebounding and size could be the cause of his hypothetical departure from the team.
With the Lakers aiming to contend for titles in the immediate aftermath of Dončić's commitment to the franchise, Hachimura is a valuable asset that could net a solid return in a deal.
The Lakers averaged 42.4 rebounds as a collective last season, ranking as the No. 26 team in the Association on the boards.
More NBA: Jazz star Lauri Markkanen's stats for Finland vs. Belgium are mind blowing