LA Lakers have no intentions of trading $17M asset: Report

The LA Lakers have the most buzz around them leading up to the trade deadline. After a 14-12 run through 26 games, the fans are eager to see what the front office does to upgrade the team amid glaring roster weaknesses that have held LA back. One of the players the fanbase has no issues moving on from is Rui Hachimura, who is owed $17 million this season.

Hachimura was a key piece for the team in their 2022-23 midseason turnaround, which saw the Lakers go from avoiding the lottery for a second consecutive year to finishing seventh and reaching the conference finals. Hachimura was exceptional in his second season, too.

However, his impact has faded this year. The LA Lakers fans believe that moving on from his contract could fetch them an upgrade in the frontcourt. However, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha, LA views the 6-foot-7 wing as a longer-term 'core piece.'

"I think Rui is viewed as a longer-term piece," Buha reported on his show "Buha's Block" on Tuesday. "I don’t think that means they would not trade him, but I think when you look at, there are four midsize salaries that the Lakers can trade between now and Jan. 15. On Jan. 15, Max Christie becomes available, so then it becomes five.

"But between now and Jan. 15, the Lakers have four midsize salaries to trade. That’s Rui, DLo, Gabe and Vando. I think among those four, the guy that they’d prefer to keep from that group would be Rui. That’s the guy that they view as the longest-term piece."

Hachimura has averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest in 21 games. He's started all, shooting 48.5%, including 44.3% from 3. He's been one of the most efficient 3-point shooters on the team since last season.

Does not trading Rui Hachimura make sense for LA Lakers?

Rui Hachimura is an exceptional scorer, but he's not a starting-caliber player. He's one-dimensional, as his defense is not as reliable and consistent. The LA Lakers certainly benefit from keeping him compared to Gabe Vincent, D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt. Vincent and Russell haven't been as consistent offensively, while Vanderbilt is levels above defensively but has been injury-prone.

Suppose the LA Lakers add a player who is a legitimate two-way threat, then keeping Hachimura is an even more ideal scenario, provided JJ Redick demotes him to the bench. As a sixth man, he must trim the forward's minutes in the early to mid-20s range.

Hachimura's role during the conference finals run was similar and worked wonders for both parties. He wasn't tasked with guarding the second or third-best players from the opposing team, making it easier for him to focus and flourish on offense.