Rui Hachimura Converts Lakers Fan to Clippers Fan in Viral Gift Exchange
The Clippers forward gifted a young fan his old Lakers jersey for a new Clippers one, urging him to support his new team.
Rui Hachimura is looking to build a new fanbase with the Los Angeles Clippers, even among those who previously cheered for his former team, the Lakers. In a clip posted to his official Instagram account, @blacksamurai, Hachimura was seen giving a young fan a Clippers jersey.
The fan, initially wearing Hachimura's No. 28 Lakers jersey, received the new Clippers gear from the forward. Hachimura then encouraged the boy and the wider audience to embrace his new team, stating, "This one looks way cooler. Everyone, please go buy the Clippers jersey."
Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers in July. He spent four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. In the 2025-26 season, he shot 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range.
His move to the Clippers comes at a challenging time for the franchise. The team was recently penalized with the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, a $30 million fine, and suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. This situation adds to the Clippers' history of struggling to emerge from the Lakers' shadow.
The upcoming 2026-27 season presents a critical opportunity for the Clippers to regain fan support following a significant offseason scandal.
At Clippers media day on Monday, interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden issued an apology on behalf of the team. "Our fans deserve to hear from us before this, and for that we're sorry," Redden said. "We've been listening to the thoughts, the concerns and feeling the emotions of our fan base. They mean everything to us. ... We hope to fulfill our promises to them, to build their trust and move forward through this time."
Redden added, "This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall ... We hope to represent our fans the same way we always have in dark times, by coming out fighting." Hachimura's gesture to the young fan suggests an effort to rally supporters for the Clippers as the team navigates this period.