The Los Angeles Lakers have officially acquired the services of Japanese basketballer Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards of the Eastern Conference.
The forward makes the move to the 17-time champions in exchange for guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
Finalized deal: Rui Hachimura for Kendrick Nunn, 2023 second via Chicago, 2029 LA second and and less favorable of 2028 Washington/LA seconds, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023
Hachimura was selected by the Wizards with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 draft and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team the following year.
The 24-year-old was the second Japanese-born player drafted into the NBA after the Golden State Warriors selected Yasutaka Okayama in the 1981 draft.
Hachimura made his NBA debut in October 2019 with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in a defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. He recently tied his career high of 30 points in a 138-118 win over the Orlando Magic last Saturday.
Rob Pelinka, Lakers’ general manager and vice president of basketball operations, welcomed the trade and outlined the strengths Hachimura will bring to the group.
“We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers,” he said in statement on the team’s website.
“Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui’s two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often.
“We want to thank Kendrick Nunn and his family for his time as a Laker, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future,” Pelinka concluded.
OFFICIAL: Welcome to the #LakeShow, @rui_8mura! pic.twitter.com/STh8mBsbpP
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 23, 2023
Hachimura has found life tough at the Wizards this season, featuring in 30 games while coming off the bench in all.
He is averaging 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 49% shooting and 34% from 3-point range in 24.3 minutes per game.
