Rui Hachimura stepped up big time for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Playoffs; he is now set up for a massive pay-day in free agency this summer. Although the Lakers plan on trying to retain Hachimura, it could get ‘dicey' if another team offers him a contract that is just out of the Lakers price range, reports HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
“Initially, I heard he [Rui Hachimura] turned down a contract extension offer from Washington that was in that $14-15 million range (annually)… He stepped up big time in the playoffs. If Austin was their third-best player most nights, I’d say Rui was their fourth-best player most nights… I think his market is anywhere in that $15-18 million range annually. In that range, the Lakers would retain him. I think where it gets a little dicey is if there’s a team that sells themselves on Rui and offers three years, $60 million or four years, $80 million.”
That is what The Athletic's Jovan Buha had to say about the impending free agency for Hachimura when discussing with Scotto. This would undoubtedly cause a conundrum for the Lakers brass with how much Hachimura endeared himself to Lakers faithful in the postseason.
It is known that the Lakers number one priority is retaining Austin Reaves, which could end up cutting into the money they could commit to Hachimura. However, out of all of the free agency options this offseason, Reaves and Hachimura are the two top priorities. If something can be done to keep Rui Hachimura with the Los Angeles Lakers, expect it to be done.
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