The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards have reportedly swung a big trade.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers finalized a a trade, which would send guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to Washington, in exchange for Rui Hachimura.
Charania reports that the Lakers are sending a 2023 second-round pick (via the Chicago Bulls), their own 2029 second-rounder and the Wizards/Lakers’ less favorable second-rounder in 2028.
Hachimura, the former No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft missed Monday’s practice due to personal reasons, Wizards head coach Wes Undseld Jr. said via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
“Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and trade became more likely as Kyle Kuzma solidified himself as a priority to sign to a long-term deal in the Wizards front court,” Wojnarowski wrote in a tweet.
The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer, according to Wojnarowski.
Hachimura is in his fourth season in the league after being drafted out of Gonzaga in 2019. He started 105 games in his first two seasons with the Wizards but has seen his role diminish since then. He’s only started 13 games since then and has yet to crack the starting lineup this season. In 30 games this season, Hachimura has averaged 13 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The NBA world had plenty to say about this trade. Check out all the reactions below:
It's hard to judge young players in losing situations with star teammates who don't elevate anyone. But there have been enough flashes over the years to remain intrigued by Rui Hachimura's potential so I look forward to seeing how he performs with the Lakers next to LeBron James. https://t.co/Y9LNP3Ym1B
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 23, 2023
In Rui Hachimura’s last game with the Wizards, he tied his career-high with 30 points.
The Lakers now own Hachimura’s rights as a restricted free agent this summer. pic.twitter.com/Gzdpxo3RGM
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 23, 2023
[Shams Charania, Adrian Wojnarowski, Chase Hughes]