Should the Lakers Extend the Contract of a Former First-Rounder?
The contract of one of the Lakers' starting five, Rui Hachimura, expires after this season. The question of whether the Lakers should extend his contract is slowly starting to make rounds in the basketball circle. Last season, Rui averaged 13 points a game and five rebounds. He has been a reliable, timely bucket when the Lakers needed him. Along with Jaxson Hayes, they have developed chemistry with Luka Doncic as a pick-and-pop shooter nicely. Laker fans should want him to stay, so the short answer is yes, Rui should get an extension.
The question then becomes how long he will ask for. Will he ask for too much? He's a very good asset to a championship team, which is why the Lakers grabbed him from the Wizards in the first place. His shooting has improved as well. Last season, he shot an impressive 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range. He can also space the floor, which is very beneficial to both LeBron James and Luka Doncic. It isn't just in the regular season. Year after year, he has improved, but also in the NBA Playoffs; his numbers went up to 14 points a game on a higher shooting percentage.
The Lakers are making big roster moves in hopes of bringing a championship before James' eventual retirement. A decision will be made soon about the fate of Rui Hachimura because of the looming trade deadline, not far after the season starts. If they can't find an agreement, look for the Lakers to put him on the market to get another possible championship player in return. Hachimura's biggest weakness is his rebounding and defense, something the Lakers desperately need help with down low, and what derailed their title dreams last season. The Lakers' front office, mostly meaning Rob Pelinka, will be watching closely on Hachimura's play to begin the season to see if he should start making calls by early next year. Ultimately, Hachimura's contract extension will depend on his play and continued success with the Lakers. How much value he can be to Luka will decide if he gets an extension or not.
