The Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes to re-sign Rui Hachimura could fade as their Western Conference rivals, the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, are planning to lure him away from the Purple and Gold. The Lakers seemingly were still in contention to reunite with him after Thursday’s report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin suggested that Los Angeles was maneuvering to make an appealing offer to the forward.
According to McMenamin, rival suitors believed that was the case, which is why Hachimura was still unsigned. However, it seems a few things have changed as of late Thursday night. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer’s report for The Stein Line, the Warriors and Timberwolves have pitched offers to the Japanese sharpshooter.
He added that the Timberwolves have prioritized Hachimura as their top target at power forward. Minnesota has a positional need after trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle this offseason. It lacks size in the two forward positions and Hachimura would fit nicely within the team’s scheme.
As for the Warriors, Rui Hachimura would be a great fit there as well. He may even get a starting job with the Lakers’ division rivals, especially if they miss out on another former Laker, LeBron James. Hachimura would likely replace the injured Jimmy Butler and potentially play alongside Steph Curry, De’Anthony Melton, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis.
Lakers pursue former Warriors player amid Rui Hachimura conundrum
The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing former Golden State Warriors player Jonathan Kuminga, according to The Stein Line’s Thursday night report. Like the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers are also shorthanded at power forward. With LeBron James leaving and uncertainty around Rui Hachimura, Sandro Mamukelashvili is Los Angeles’ only reliable option at the four.
Jarred Vanderbilt is another player, but the veteran forward has limitations due to his lack of shooting and production offensively. He’s also fallen out of favor with Lakers coach JJ Redick on many occasions.
Amid the need for a power forward and the Hachimura path looking difficult, The Stein Line reported that the Lakers are finding ways to pursue Kuminga despite financial limitations.
“The Lakers know, though, that they badly still need more help on the perimeter and were thus trying Wednesday — despite clear financial limitations — to see if a pathway exists to acquiring unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga,” the report said.
Rui Hachimura brings experience and understands his role alongside stars. He’s also a better shooter from three, making 44.3% of his shots last season. On the other hand, Kuminga is younger, more mobile and athletic. When motivated, he has the upside of becoming a top-tier role player.
However, Kuminga has always desired a bigger role, which has seen him fall out of favor in Golden State and then with the Atlanta Hawks, who didn’t retain him despite a team option. To sign either player, the Lakers may have to trade the expiring contracts of Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton, or waive or stretch those to create space for an offer.
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