Lakers Rumors: Rui Hachimura Trade Takes Some 'Heat Off' Rob Pelinka, NBA GM Says
The Los Angeles Lakers have abstained from making any sort of earth-shattering trade around LeBron James and Anthony Davis despite lingering questions dating back to last season's rough campaign.
And the acquisition of Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards may have bought Rob Pelinka enough goodwill with the Lakers fanbase to disincentivize him from making a bigger splash.
"It's a hefty price, but now he can say he did something," a Western Conference general manager told Ric Bucher of Fox Sports regarding the deal. "It takes some of the heat off. I don't know why else he would do it. I didn't think it was a great trade. Rui gives them a little more size and a slightly better defender, but he's injury prone, which they already have enough of, and his contract is a problem."
The Lakers gave up Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks for Hachimura. Given that Nunn had 6.7 points in 13.5 minutes per game with the Lakers and second-round picks are always long shots to pan out, at face value it wasn't the steepest of costs to pay for a 24-year-old with potential.
Where it could become more expensive is that Hachimura is a restricted free agent this summer, so the trade could become nothing more than a short-term rental.
Granted, Russell Westbrook's $47 million contract will be off the books and the Lakers should have the cap flexibility to match any offers Hachimura receives. Currently, only James, Davis, Max Christie and Damian Jones (player option) are under contract for next season.
Hachimura also put up 12 points and six boards in 22 minutes off the bench in his lone Laker appearance so far, but re-signing him may not end up being a top priority if L.A. targets a higher-profile free agent.
Those possibilities, combined with questions about Hachimura's overall game, left the NBA people Bucher talked to offering mixed opinions.
"Never been a big fan to be honest," an Eastern Conference scout said of Hachimura. "Can get some buckets at times but as far as being an impactful player on a winning team, I just don't see it. Have some questions about his feel and IQ as well."
"Steal of a deal for the Lakers," a separate Eastern Conference scout said. "Rare assessment for their front office."
Time will tell. It was clear that the 23-26 Lakers needed to shake something up. It remains to be seen if the Hachimura deal will solve enough issues to keep the Lakers from departing with their future first-round picks to make an even more drastic change before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
