Lakers Expected to Make Key Contract Decision Before Season

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have had a solid offseason thus far. While they haven't made a ton of moves, they have made quality additions.
Being able to extend Luka Doncic on a three-year, $165 million deal was the biggest win of the offseason. Outside of that, the Lakers have brought in three players from the outside to beef up their roster.
Deandre Ayton is the biggest name that was added this offseason. He will have a chance to be the franchise center Los Angeles badly needed last year. Both Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia were added in NBA free agency as well.
Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April...
Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More
Photo byWith that being said, there are still some questions about the future of players currently on the roster.
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One of those players is forward Rui Hachimura. He is extension eligible, but whether or not the Lakers plan to extend him has been one question that needs to be answered.
According to NBA insider Jovan Buha, who has covered the team for some time, Hachimura is not expected to receive an extension from Los Angeles.
"With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks," Buha said.
"It's certainly possible that something happens, but I would say most of what's been out there is them wanting to keep the books clean and wanting to see whether he starts or whether he's their sixth man and how the pieces fit this year."
Hachimura has turned into a key role player for the Lakers. However, his long-term fit with the franchise remains to be seen.
During the 2024-25 NBA season with Los Angeles, Hachimura played in 59 games and started in 57 of those appearances. He averaged 13.1 points, five rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from three-point range.
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At 27 years old, his ability to stretch the floor and shot the three-point shot at a high level could be a very valuable piece to keep long-term, but the Lakers may not see it that way depending on how some dominoes fall.
Expect to hear more about Hachimura and his possible extension in the near future. For now, it doesn't seem likely that the team will extend him.
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