Latest news with #RuiHachimura
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Rui Hachimura Trade Report After Lakers' Loss to Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers concluded the 2024-25 NBA season with a 50-32 record, finishing as the third seed in the Western Conference. However, their postseason run was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. In the aftermath of the early playoff exit, head coach JJ Redick emphasized the need for the team to get into "championship shape" during the offseason, highlighting areas for improvement in conditioning and overall performance. General manager Rob Pelinka echoed this sentiment, indicating that the front office would explore all options to upgrade the roster, particularly focusing on adding size to the frontcourt. Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Amid these anticipated roster changes, forward Rui Hachimura has emerged as a player teams may target in trades. According to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register, Hachimura's development this season has increased his value, making him an intriguing asset for teams seeking to improve their lineup. Advertisement "With an $18.3 million salary for next season that's part of an expiring deal, and it being evident that he's still rounding out his game and developing, Hachimura will likely come up in offseason trade buzz as the Lakers look to upgrade their roster after back-to-back first-round playoff exits," Price reported in his article. Hachimura, who was named a starter by Redick at the beginning of the season, delivered a well-rounded performance throughout the year. His contributions in shooting, rebounding, and defense were significant for a team that lacked depth on the wing. Despite an impressive season where he avaeraged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, Hachimura's future with the team remains uncertain. While his growth and performance have been commendable, the organization's commitment to reshaping the roster for championship contention may lead to difficult decisions regarding the 27-year-old veteran. Advertisement Related: Dwight Howard Sends Nikola Jokic Message After MVP News Related: Luka Doncic Makes Major Change After Lakers' Loss to Timberwolves
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade proposal gives Lakers an ideal center at a relatively low price
In terms of personnel moves, the Los Angeles Lakers' first task this offseason is to obtain a starting-caliber center who is defensive-minded. Jaxson Hayes, their only true center on a standard contract, has played well at times, but he simply won't cut it as someone they can depend on to play a significant number of minutes. One player who could be a target for them is Nic Claxton, a relatively young and athletic center who plays for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are going nowhere, and therefore, perhaps they could be persuaded to part with him if the price is right. Advertisement Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints proposed a three-team trade also involving the Detroit Pistons that would send Claxton to Los Angeles. The only players L.A. would give up in this trade are forward Rui Hachimura and big man Maxi Kleber, and it would also give up a 2031 first-round draft pick and the right to swap picks in 2028. Via ClutchPoints: "Out of all the needs the Lakers have entering the offseason, finding a sustainable, long-term option at the center position is vital," Siegel wrote. "Nic Claxton was on Los Angeles' list of potential trade targets this season, and it is expected that they will once again inquire about the 26-year-old's availability with the Brooklyn Nets. "... Known for his rim-running abilities and success as a lob threat in pick-and-roll sets, Claxton would be the perfect center to pair with [Luka] Doncic moving forward. The Lakers need an athletic big who is a double-double threat and can protect the rim on defense. Claxton is the full package, and his offensive versatility could be unlocked by Doncic in a similar way to what he did with Dereck Lively II in Dallas." Kleber only played spot minutes in the Lakers' final game of the playoffs after he was thrown into the trade for Doncic due to a foot injury. He's going into the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million next season. Meanwhile, while Hachimura is a very skilled player on offense, he often seems nearly invisible for long stretches on the Lakers, and he, too, is going into the last season of his contract. "Whether or not the Lakers could pull off a trade for Claxton is the big question since they don't have many draft picks at their disposal," Siegel continued. "Los Angeles will also enter the offseason with over $190 million on the books for the 2025-26 season. The easy piece to be moved is Maxi Kleber, who the Lakers got in the Doncic trade, and then [general manager Rob] Pelinka would need to make a decision on Rui Hachimura. "Although he has played well since coming to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, Hachimura's expiring $18.2 million contract would be vital to pulling off a trade for Claxton." Advertisement Claxton just turned 26 years of age, so he could be a long-term solution for the Lakers, especially since he's under contract for three more seasons. He's a lob threat and a strong finisher at the rim, but he's also a legitimate shot-blocker and a good rebounder. Doncic has a history of thriving alongside big men who provide vertical spacing, such as Lively and Daniel Gafford. Claxton's numbers dipped this season, but he still had 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.9 minutes a game. Perhaps playing for a Lakers team that is close to being a legitimate championship contender would spark Claxton's competitive fuel and cause his production to increase a bit. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Trade proposal gives Lakers an ideal center at a relatively low price
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rui Hachimura Makes Big Announcement After Lakers' Loss to Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered an unexpected first round exit, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Despite being the No. 3 seed and holding home court advantage over the No. 6 seed Timberwolves, the Lakers were unable to circumvent their lack of size against a big Minnesota team. In addition to LA's front court issue, there was an overall lack of offensive production outside of LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith, two key players during the regular season, each shot well-below their season averages from 3-point range in the five-game loss to Minnesota. Advertisement One player who remained productive for LA in the postseason was 6-foot-8 forward Rui Hachimura. Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28)© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Averaging 14.8 points against the Timberwolves, a slight increase from his regular season average (13.1), Hachimura converted on a team-best 48.4% of his 3-point attempts in the postseason. This consistency was invaluable to a Lakers team desperate for production outside of James and Doncic, which was evidenced by the 36.4 minutes per game JJ Redick played Hachimura in the playoffs. Following LA's early exit, Hachimura made an exciting announcement on his offseason plans. The Japanese forward is returning home to host a basketball camp. This announcement went viral on X, tallying over one million views. Hachimura linked a website that revealed more details. Advertisement "BLACK SAMURAI 2025 THE CAMP is a basketball camp for junior and senior high school students who are serious about playing on the world stage," the website states. "Rui Hachimura will directly teach the skills, physical fitness and mindset he learned in the NBA with world-class coaches." Related: Luka Doncic Reacts to Major Retirement Announcement Related: Lakers Make Austin Reaves Decision After Loss to Timberwolves
Japan Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Basketball bust-ups threaten ambitious Japan's hoop dreams
Japan has ambitious plans to become a basketball powerhouse but a row involving star player Rui Hachimura and disagreements over the domestic league's direction mean success is anything but a slam dunk. Once a minnow on the world stage, Japan qualified for last year's Paris Olympics and took eventual silver medalist France to overtime in the group phase, helped by a handful of NBA-affiliated players, including Los Angeles Lakers forward Hachimura. At home, the B. League is enjoying record attendances and revenue, with new arenas being built and ambitions to become the second-best league in the world behind North America's NBA. Chairman Shinji Shimada says the B. League's "mix of sport and live entertainment" offers Japanese fans something different. "Lots of people watch a B. League game for the first time and say it's more interesting than football or baseball, and they want to come back," he said in the B. League's plush office in central Tokyo. Shimada says the B. League is already catching up on a business scale with leagues in Europe and China and is taking steps to close the gap on the court too. Teams have signed players with NBA experience such as Alize Johnson, who played alongside stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden with the Brooklyn Nets. Representatives of each of the B. League teams participating in this year's playoffs at an event in Tokyo on Monday | Jiji Johnson says he knew nothing about the B. League when he was in the NBA but he would recommend it to other players dropping below the elite level. "In terms of the money being guaranteed and the lifestyle, how they go about making sure everything is by the book, it makes players feel comfortable knowing there's not going to be anything fishy going on," he said. The B. League has also invested in local talent and last year brought back national team star Yuta Watanabe after six seasons in the NBA. The 30-year-old, who had never played professionally in Japan before, has struggled with injuries but he is back in action as the B. League playoffs approach. Watanabe and Hachimura are the two main faces of Japan's national team, who captured the public's imagination at the 2023 World Cup, which was co-hosted by Okinawa, when they qualified for the Paris Games. Japan performed respectably at the Olympics but the mood soured three months later when Hachimura threatened to quit the team after a scathing attack on Japanese basketball chiefs. The 27-year-old, by far the country's most successful player, accused the Japan Basketball Association of having a "profit-first" mentality. He also aimed a barb at head coach Tom Hovasse, who got the job after leading Japan's women to silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, saying the American had "not managed at a world level." Japan's Rui Hachimura (right) chest bumps with Yuta Watanabe during a game against Spain at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. | USA TODAY / via Reuters Hachimura has still not said whether he will return and Watanabe hopes relationships can be mended. "For him to say that publicly, there must have been a big build-up of stress," Watanabe said. "The lack of communication became a problem and I hope that can be fixed properly." Watanabe fears that communication issues could also derail the domestic league as it prepares to relaunch as the B. League Premier from the 2026-27 season. The league plans to introduce a salary cap and raise the number of overseas players allowed on the court at any one time from two to three. The plans have brought the league into conflict with the players' association, which worries that Japanese players will end up with less money and time on the court. Shimada insists the changes are necessary to raise the overall level and narrow the gap in quality between teams, giving fans more exciting games to watch. At such a delicate time for Japanese basketball, Watanabe is urging everyone to work together. "I'm a little worried what fans will think if it's a Japanese league but there aren't many Japanese players on the court," he said. "It's fine for people who want to watch high-level basketball but for fans who want to support the players, that's where a gap starts to appear. "A lot of fans are coming to games now but I worry if that will continue," he added.
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Bust-up between LA Lakers star Hachimura, coach threatens ambitious Japan's hoop dreams
Japan has ambitious plans to become a basketball powerhouse but a row involving star player Rui Hachimura and disagreements over the domestic league's direction mean success is anything but a slam dunk. Advertisement Once a minnow on the world stage, Japan qualified for last year's Paris Olympics and took eventual silver medallists France to overtime in the group phase, helped by a handful of NBA-based players including Los Angeles Lakers forward Hachimura. At home, the domestic B League is enjoying record attendances and revenue, with new arenas being built and ambitions to become the second-best league in the world behind the NBA. Chairman Shinji Shimada says the B. League's 'mix of sport and live entertainment' offers Japanese fans something different. 'Lots of people watch a B. League game for the first time and say it's more interesting than football or baseball, and they want to come back,' he told AFP in the B League's plush office in central Tokyo. Chiba Jets' Yuta Watanabe walks across the court after his side's B League game against Sendai 89ers. Photo: AFP Shimada said the B League was already catching up on a business scale with leagues in Europe and China, and was taking steps to close the gap on the court too.
