Spurs and Nets Could Steal a Key Lakers Role Player This Summer

Rui Hachimura might be wearing a different jersey next season. And the Lakers, despite wanting to keep him, have real competition brewing.

According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs have both shown serious interest in signing the forward once free agency opens. Hachimura has quietly become one of the more reliable role players in the league since arriving in Los Angeles from Washington during the 2023 season. Now he’s a guy multiple teams want to build around.

What Hachimura Brings

This past season, Hachimura averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 44.3% from three. That kind of floor spacing next to Luka Doncic or any star guard is valuable. But it was the playoffs that really put him on the radar. With Doncic and Austin Reaves both missing time, Hachimura stepped up hard — averaging 17.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting a blistering 56.9% from deep. He wasn’t just a spot-up shooter. He was an actual threat.

For the Spurs, pairing him with Victor Wembanyama makes a lot of sense. Hachimura is versatile enough to play both forward spots and has shown he can rise to big moments — like in the Lakers’ first-round series against the Thunder. San Antonio also has to figure out what to do with Harrison Barnes, who’s headed to unrestricted free agency. Bringing in Hachimura could be a cleaner fit long-term.

The Nets are a different story. They just added Julius Randle and are trying to build something that can compete sooner rather than later. Hachimura would give them another scoring option and a guy who can stretch the floor. Brooklyn keeps getting mentioned as a likely suitor, and it’s not hard to see why.

Lakers’ Dilemma

Los Angeles obviously wants to keep him. He’s become a core part of their rotation, and his improved shooting has made him indispensable in their system. But the Lakers have cap constraints and other priorities. They can’t just throw money at everyone. If Brooklyn or San Antonio comes with a strong offer, the Lakers might have to make a tough call.

Hachimura’s camp hasn’t tipped his hand publicly. The Lakers haven’t confirmed anything either. But the rumor mill is already churning, and both the Spurs and Nets clearly see the potential in his skill set. Whether it’s the spacing he provides or his ability to step up in big games, teams are lining up.

Free agency hasn’t even started yet, and this is already shaping up to be one of the more interesting subplots. If the Lakers lose Hachimura, it’s not just about losing a role player. It’s about watching him help someone else make a playoff run.