The 2022-23 season did not go the way that the Lakers wanted, but they did find some promising young pieces to build on for next season. One of these was Rui Hachimura, who had a breakout in the playoffs and earned a big raise from the $6.3 million that he was paid this season.
At just 25 years old, Hachimura will draw plenty of interest around the league, but the Lakers have a big advantage in retaining him given that he's a restricted free agent. That means they will be able to match any offer that he receives. Early reports from Substack's Marc Stein and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, among others, indicate that they plan to do precisely that.
Simply because the Lakers can match any offer doesn't mean that they actually will. And the posturing from them may be an attempt to keep interest in Hachimura low.
The Lakers are already projected to be a luxury tax team in 2023-24. A big offer for Hachimura will result in an even higher bill. The team showed back in 2021 in choosing not to retain Alex Caruso that they do have a price point where they will let their talented players walk. If another team puts enough pressure on them, then they could balk at matching that price.
MORE: Rui Hachimura trade details, explained: Revisiting Lakers-Wizards deadline deal
What is Rui Hachimura's maximum contract?
The Lakers can sign Hachimura for up to five years at a contract starting at over $33 million in its first year. Other teams could sign him to a maximum of four years at that same $33 million starting offer.
Hachimura won't earn that kind of money, but his earning potential is high enough that the Lakers could be put in a tough bind in deciding whether to match an offer from another team.
What is Rui Hachimura worth on his next deal?
Hachimura could be a quality starter for a number of different teams throughout the league. The average salary for those types of players ranges from around $10-$20 million annually.
As a point of comparison, here are what other players from Hachimura's draft class earned on their contract extensions:
- Jordan Poole: 4 years / $128 million
- Tyler Herro: 4 years / $120 million
- RJ Barrett: 4 years / $107 million
- Keldon Johnson: 4 years / $74 million
- Brandon Clarke: 4 years / $50 million
- Daniel Gafford: 3 years / $40 million
All numbers via Spotrac.
Potential landing spots for Rui Hachimura
Hachimura could go to a number of other teams, depending on what kind of offers he gets.
If his salary starts at less than $12.2 million next season, then he could fit under a team's mid-level exception. The Kings, Knicks, Timberwolves and Blazers should all have that available to them.
If Hachimura earns more than that $12.2 million mark, then he is limited to either the Lakers or a team with cap space. Luckily for the Lakers, that eliminates most teams from the competition.
The Rockets, Jazz, Spurs, Pistons, and Magic have cap space but already have young prospects or good depth at Hachimura's position. That leaves the Thunder, Pacers and Hornets as the most realistic teams to try and put some pressure on the Lakers to match a big money offer.
The bottom line is that the only way Hachimura can switch teams is if the Lakers choose to allow that to happen by not matching a contract offer from another team. The most likely outcome is that he returns to the Lakers. He seems to be happy there, and they have been pleased with his play by all accounts.
