Rui Hachimura has signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to join their crosstown rivals. The forward expressed gratitude to Lakers fans for their support over the past three seasons.
"Thank you Lakers Nation for the past three years. We had some great moments and I will always remember the memories we made together," Hachimura stated in a message posted on Instagram.
Hachimura spent parts of four seasons with the Lakers after being acquired from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, shooting 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range. He notably developed into a strong three-point shooter, particularly excelling in the playoffs where he averaged 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting over 50% from beyond the arc.
With his departure, the Lakers face the challenge of filling needs on their roster. Hachimura was seen as a potential versatile wing defender, a role that will now need to be addressed. The team has also been linked to free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, though securing such a signing would require freeing up salary cap space. Additionally, the Lakers are in need of a backup center following the trade of Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. Hachimura's move highlights these remaining roster tasks for the Lakers as the new season approaches.