If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to obtain a player or players who will address at least one of their roster needs this offseason, they will obviously have to give up something of value.
They have a limited number of viable trade assets, and as a result, they may have to give up a small piece or two of their current core in order to improve.
One name that has come up lately in trade rumors is Austin Reaves, their budding star guard. But it is more likely they will give up starting forward Rui Hachimura, especially since the franchise continues to be reluctant to entertain the mere idea of involving Reaves in trade talks.
Khobi Price of the Orange County Register explained why Hachimura could be a somewhat attractive trade piece.
“In 2025-26, Hachimura will be on the last season of a three-year, $51 million contract he signed with the Lakers during the 2023 offseason,” Price wrote. “With an $18.3 million salary for next season that is part of an expiring deal, and it being evident that he’s still rounding out his game and developing, Hachimura will likely come up in offseason trade buzz as the Lakers look to upgrade their roster after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.”
Hachimura averaged 13.1 points a game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range during the regular season. He is a capable one-on-one scorer who also moves without the ball and runs the floor in transition well, and he is a strong finisher at the rim.
However, he often goes long stretches without being involved in the Lakers’ offense, and he isn’t a productive rebounder or defender, despite standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 230 pounds. If they have an offer on the table involving him that would land them a strong starting-level defensive center, he may get sent out for the benefit of the team.
