Luka Dončić wanted the Los Angeles Lakers to re-sign Rui Hachimura, who is joining the Los Angeles Clippers, according to The Athletic.
Hachimura is signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers.
The Lakers will look very different next season. Hachimura, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton are gone, while Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton are the newcomers.
LAL also re-signed Austin Reaves, who is very close with Dončić.
For the Lakers last season, Hachimura averaged 11.5 points per game while shooting 51.4% from the field, 44.3% from beyond the arc and 69.4% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best catch-and-shoot forwards in the NBA.
Hachimura is a career 51.6% shooter from 3 in the playoffs. That’s the best percentage of all time. The Lakers will undoubtedly miss Hachimura’s elite shooting skills next season.
LAL went 53-29 this past regular season. Dončić led the NBA in points per game and total points in his first full season with the Lakers. However, he missed the 2026 playoffs because of the left hamstring injury he suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James led the Lakers to a first-round playoff series win against the Houston Rockets in six games. Without Dončić, though, LAL was swept by Oklahoma City in the second round.
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game last season. He’s still looking to win his first NBA championship. The Lakers likely won’t be title contenders next season after losing James, Smart, Hachimura and Kennard. Many NBA execs and scouts Dallas Hoops Journal has spoken to believe Rob Pelinka is having a “horrific” offseason.
The Clippers will not be a championship contender either next season after trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. Hachimura is expected to join Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, Brook Lopez and possibly Kris Dunn as starters for LAC next season.
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