Lakers' Rui Hachimura Reportedly Not Expected to Land Contract Extension Before Season

The Los Angeles Lakers may be high on Rui Hachimura, but that reportedly doesn't mean they will sign him to a contract extension ahead of the final season on his current deal.

"With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks," Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported (34:40:00 mark). "It's certainly possible that something happens, but I would say most of what's been out there is them wanting to keep the books clean and wanting to see whether he starts or whether he's their sixth man and how the pieces fit this year."

The Lakers wanting to maintain financial flexibility isn't a surprise.

This is the final season on the current deals for LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes. Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart also have player options for the 2026-27 campaign.

The only sure thing long-term is Luka Dončić, who agreed to a three-year extension this offseason.

Once James retires or is elsewhere, the focus will completely shift to building a contender around Dončić. And keeping Austin Reaves will likely be a bigger priority than a role player like Hachimura, which makes it all the more notable that Buha reported the former wants to remain with the Lakers his entire career.

Evaluating who fits better alongside Dončić between Ayton and Hachimura is also something Los Angeles will likely look to do during the 2025-26 campaign as it evaluates its future roster construction.

Given that as the backdrop, it makes more sense for the Purple and Gold to keep their options open when it comes to role players such as Hachimura. But Buha did note they still like the forward, so another solid season could put him in position to land a new contract in Los Angeles.

Or it could put him in position to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere as the Lakers focus on heading another direction.