Grading the 11 biggest headline-grabbing day 1 NBA Free Agency signings
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: 3 years, $51 million
The biggest move that the Los Angeles Lakers made on the first day of NBA Free Agency revolved around re-signing Rui Hachimura to a three-year, $51 million deal. That’s…not a terrible deal for the Lakers overall. However, they are now hoping that Hachimura can be more of a consistent and reliable player heading into next season. From what the team saw from him during the postseason, perhaps that’s an experience that could give him momentum heading into next season.
As another pre-NBA Trade Deadline acquisition, this is another move that needed to be done. The Lakers couldn’t afford to lose him for nothing this offseason. And this is a fair deal that gets done to ensure some depth on the wing. It’ll be interesting to see what other moves the Lakers can make; you’d imagine that a new contract for Austin Reaves will be next.
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If Hachimura plays more like the player he was at spurts in the postseason, this deal will end up being a steal. But if he continues to be an inconsistent player, this could end up being one of those contracts that Lakers fans despise. Considering the situation, though, the Lakers didn’t have much flexibility. Nevertheless, the asset is retained on a mostly fair deal.
Grade: B