The Lakers are staring down a cap crunch, and it looks like Rui Hachimura could be the one who pays for it. Multiple league sources told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the 28-year-old forward is the most likely candidate to get priced out of Los Angeles this offseason.
Hachimura just averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds last season while shooting a career-best from deep. He was arguably the Lakers’ most reliable two-way forward in the playoffs. But here’s the thing. The Lakers have Luka Doncic on the books now, and Austin Reaves is about to get paid. LeBron James is still LeBron James. Somebody has to be the odd man out.
“Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal,” McMenamin wrote.
The Cap Problem
Los Angeles can operate as an over-the-cap team if they want. That would let them keep Hachimura using his Bird rights. But it would also trigger the hard cap and torpedo their ability to add anybody else. The Lakers front office hasn’t decided which direction they’re going yet. If they choose to stay under the apron, Hachimura becomes the most logical sacrifice.
He’s set to be an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers brought him over from Washington during the 2022-23 season, and he’s been a steady piece ever since. He started more than half the games this year and played heavy minutes in the postseason. Losing him would sting, because he’s the kind of versatile forward who fits next to Doncic in theory. But the math might not work.
What Hachimura Might Get Elsewhere
Hachimura is 28, athletic, and showed he can knock down open threes. Some team with cap space could offer him a deal the Lakers can’t match without wrecking their flexibility. Detroit, San Antonio, and Utah all have money to spend and could use a wing who defends multiple positions. Hachimura might prefer to stay in LA, but the market could decide for him.
The Lakers have other options. They could try to move another contract instead. They could let Hachimura walk and use the room exception on a cheaper veteran. Nothing is settled yet. But the reporting from league insiders suggests the front office is already preparing for life without number 28.
Lakers fans should watch this one closely. Free agency doesn’t open for a while, but the signal is already there. Hachimura might be the piece that has to go for the Lakers to build around Doncic the way they want. Whether that’s smart or not is a different conversation. The cap doesn’t care about feelings.
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