LA Lakers Rumors: Rui Hachimura deal could affect player values in the trade market

The LA Lakers made the first significant trade of the season ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline. They acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks. The latest rumors suggest that the Hachimura deal could affect player values in the trade market.

According to Lakers beat writer Anthony F. Irwin of Silver Screen and Roll, the Hachimura trade makes the market more realistic. With the Lakers parting ways with just one role player and multiple second-round picks for a former lottery pick, some teams' asking prices are likely to change.

Hachimura was the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of Gonzaga. He had some injury and personal problems in his first three seasons, but managed to produce when on the court. He played 30 games for the Wizards this season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

With just two weeks left before the trade deadline, some teams will be sellers and others will be buyers. Selling teams are those at the bottom of the standings and are looking to improve their chances of getting the first overall pick in this year's draft.

On the other hand, buying teams are those in need of bolstering their roster for a playoff run or even a championship one. The LA Lakers are buyers and are loaded with some tradable players and picks. Some of the names linked to the Lakers include Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons and Cam Reddish of the New York Knicks.

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LA Lakers could make more trades before deadline

Rob Pelinka of the LA Lakers

The LA Lakers might not be done making trades before the Feb. 9 deadline. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka told reporters on Tuesday that they are monitoring the situation around the league. He explained that they are not just trying to improve the team this season, but also for the next few years.

"We're going to continue to monitor the situations with the 29 other teams," Pelinka said. "Our job as a front office is always to look for ways to improve our team both now and in the future. We felt like Rui (Hachimura) was the perfect way to do that. That's why we struck early."

Pelinka added that nothing is off the table, which means they are prepared to trade their future first-round picks. However, he also noted that they would only make a big trade if it meant contending for a championship.

"The calculus for the Lakers is to win a championship or not," Pelinka said. "There's no in-between or incremental growth. As we analyze opportunities, we have to do it through that lens. If there's an opportunity to get all the way at the end and win a championship, there's no resource we'll hold onto if we feel like that's there."