The first domino of the NBA trade season looks to have fallen. The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards are working toward finalizing a deal according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. It felt like a matter of time until Rob Pelinka made a move and he is getting close to completing his first one.
The Lakers are on the verge of acquiring forward Rui Hachimura from the Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks. The Lakers are sending their 2023 and 2029 second-rounder to the Wizards along with a 2023 second-round pick via the Chicago Bulls according to ESPN.
On the heels of an incredible come-from-behind victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday evening, more positives are occurring with news of this trade. Hachimura will be a nice upgrade for the Lakers in the frontcourt, providing the team with some more scoring punch at the forward position.
On the season, Hachimura is averaging 13 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field. He is making only 33.7 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, but he is a 35.6 percent shooter from distance in his career. If he can get close to the 44.7 percent he shot last season, he is going to be an excellent fit in Los Angeles.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
To round out his stat line, Hachimura is grabbing 4.3 rebounds and handing out 1.2 assists per game. Turning 25 in February and set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming season, the Gonzaga product has a great chance to bolster his stock playing for the Lakers.
He should immediately step into the rotation, helping compensate for the loss of Anthony Davis, who is nearing a return from his foot injury. There was a logjam forming in the backcourt, so this is a good deal for the Lakers moving Nunn.
Nunn was competing for minutes along with Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder at point guard and Patrick Beverley and Max Christie at the shooting guard spot. He could find more minutes in a Wizards’ backcourt that has Monte Morris and Delon Wright soaking up a majority of the point guard minutes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
This trade is also an indication of where the Wizards stand when it comes to their own logjam in the frontcourt. Rumors popped up last week that they were exploring trade destinations for Hachimura and they have now found one. Kyle Kuzma is likely their priority to bring back this offseason at the 4-spot going forward.
