The Lakers have reportedly made the first splash to get the NBA's trade season underway.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Lakers will acquire 24-year-old forward Rui Hachimura from the Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
Los Angeles is trying to maximize the talent around superstar forward LeBron James, who just turned 38 in December. The Lakers have turned a corner as of late, winning two games in a row and six of their last 10. They still sit in 12th place in the West, but they are only one game out of the Play-In Tournament and two games back from the No. 6 seed, which would guarantee Los Angeles a playoff spot.
For more details on the first trade ahead of the deadline on February 9th, The Sporting News has you covered below.
Lakers-Wizards trade details
The Lakers will reportedly acquire Hachimura — the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — for Nunn and draft picks.
Lakers receive:
- Rui Hachimura, PF
Wizards receive:
- Kendrick Nunn, PG
- 2023 second-round pick (via CHI)
- 2028 second-round swap (worst)
- 2029 second-round pick
Wojnarowski and Charania announced the Lakers would send the Bulls' 2023 second-round pick, their own 2029 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick swap, where the Wizards would get the more favorable selection.
Rui Hachimura contract details
Hachimura is on an expiring $6.3 million contract and is set to become a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason. According to Spotrac, Hachimura's upcoming Qualifying Offer will be worth $8.5 million should he elect to re-sign with the Lakers for just one more season before hitting unrestricted free agency.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2023 | |
| Rui Hachimura | $6.3 million | QO: $8.5 million | RFA |
Wojnarowski added that the Lakers "traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer."
Lakers updated depth chart
Hachimura will provide the Lakers with an athletic forward on the wing who still has room to grow at 24 years old. For his career, Hachimura is averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists, knocking down 35.6 percent of his 3-point attempts.
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| PG | Dennis Schroder | Russell Westbrook | Scotty Pippen Jr. (TW) | |
| SG | Patrick Beverley | Austin Reaves (INJ) | Lonnie Walker IV (INJ) | Max Christe |
| SF | Rui Hachimura | Troy Brown Jr. | Cole Swider (TW) | |
| PF | LeBron James | Juan Toscano-Anderson | Anthony Davis (INJ) | |
| C | Thomas Bryant | Wenyen Gabriel | Damian Jones |
Lakers future draft picks
After sending out three second-round picks, here's an updated look at the Lakers' future draft picks.
| Year | First Round | Second Round |
| 2023 | None | Own |
| 2024 | None | MEM or WAS |
| 2025 | Own | Own |
| 2026 | Own | None |
| 2027 | Own | Own |
| 2028 | Own | Own or WAS |
| 2029 | Own | None |
When is the NBA trade deadline?
The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, set for Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. ET.
