The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves a gem in Japanese forward Rui Hachimura, who continues to give them a spark off the bench in the playoffs.
Hachimura was a key factor in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies, before finding minutes hard to come by in the second round against the Golden State Warriors due to matchups. Now, against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, he has more than made his mark through the first two games of the series.
In Game 1, he poured in 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting while playing some disruptive defense against Niklola Jokic in the fourth quarter, which proved instrumental in the Lakers' comeback attempt.
In the first half of Game 2, he tallied 17 points without missing a shot, going 7-for-7 from the field.
Rui Hachimura at the half:
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2023
17 PTS, 7-7 FG
Q3 next on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/flez9Fssxv
With the No. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft carving out an important role in Los Angeles, The Sporting News takes a look back at the January trade that sent him from the Wizards to the Lakers.
MORE: Rui Hachimura's defense on Nikola Jokic could be game changer for Lakers
Rui Hachimura trade details: Revisiting Lakers-Wizards deal
- Lakers receive: Rui Hachimura
- Wizards receive: Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks (2023, 2028, 2029)
Hachimura was a productive player off the bench for the Wizards this season, averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three in 24.3 minutes per game.
With the Lakers looking for reinforcements for the stretch run of the season, they sent guard Kendrick Nunn — who only appeared in 39 games across two seasons for the Lakers — to Washington, along with three second-round picks for the former Gonzaga standout.
The 2023 pick comes via Chicago, while the 2028 pick will be the later selection between the Wizards and Lakers picks. The 2029 pick is the Lakers' own.
Rui Hachimura contract details
Hachimura signed a four-year, $20.3 million deal with the Wizards. He is now in the final year of his rookie deal, which pays him $6.26 million this season.
The Lakers hold his Bird rights, meaning they can go over the cap to re-sign him in 2023. However, he will be a restricted free agent, meaning another team can make him an offer (which the Lakers can match).
As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time of the trade, the Lakers made the deal with the intention of signing Hachimura to an extension.
The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer, sources tell ESPN. Hachimura can be a restricted free agent. https://t.co/TAdM1h8iAH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023
Until he signs a new contract, Hachimura has a cap hold of $18.8 million that counts against the Lakers' cap space for next season.
They can either keep the cap hold and try to re-sign him or let him walk in free agency.
Hachimura contract breakdown
| Year | Salary | Team |
| 2019-20 | $4.46 million | Wizards |
| 2020-21 | $4.69 million | Wizards |
| 2021-22 | $4.91 million | Wizards |
| 2022-23 | $6.23 million | Wizards/Lakers |
