As the Los Angeles Lakers explore roster upgrades this offseason, forward Rui Hachimura has surfaced as a key trade chip. With the team eyeing size and defensive versatility, Hachimura’s future in L.A. is suddenly uncertain—despite a productive season and internal hopes of retaining him.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic recently rated the odds of a Hachimura trade at “5.5 out of 10,” calling it “maybe more likely than not.” On his Buha’s Block podcast, he explained: “Rui, to me, is the pivot point with the Lakers’ offseason because it’s hard to make a substantial upgrade without including him—both because of salary and because of his trade value.”
Rui Hachimura Emerges as Los Angeles Lakers’ Trade Pivot Amid Offseason Reshuffle
Earlier this year, Buha listed five players who are “most likely to be traded” from the Lakers this year. While Hachimura was named in that group, Buha singled him out as the one player Los Angeles would prefer not get rid of.
“Among that group, Rui’s the guy that they’ve talked about as a longer-term core piece, so I think he’s the guy they’d like to keep among that group,” Buha said.
Hachimura, 26, has been a consistent contributor, starting all 21 games he’s played and averaging 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals. His 44.3% shooting from three is the second-best of his career, adding offensive value the Lakers may be reluctant to lose.
Still, defense remains a concern. “If we’re being honest,” Buha noted, “I don’t think the quartet of LeBron, Luka, Rui, and Austin is good enough defensively.” The Lakers reportedly see Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves as foundational players, signaling Hachimura may be the odd man out in any significant move.
“So through that lens, I think the optimal way to configure the starting lineup is a center and then a multipositional defensive wing who is better than Rui on the defensive end, and you’re probably going to take a step back offensively because Rui is a good offensive player, and it’s hard to find someone to replace that.”
Despite their desire to keep him, Buha added the Lakers “would probably be more willing to give up Rui than give up a first-round pick,” if forced to choose in trade negotiations.
As L.A. prepares for a critical summer, Hachimura’s name sits firmly on the trade block—both valuable and vulnerable, depending on the right offer. Whether he stays or goes could shape the Lakers’ trajectory next season.