Lakers Chose Rui Hachimura Over Cam Reddish

Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards, NBA Trade Rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, Cam Reddish, New York Knicks
NBA Analysis Network

The first trade of the NBA deadline season was completed earlier this week between the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards. After days of speculations about Rui Hachimura garnering interest from a team in the Western Conference, we now know the purple and gold was checking in on him.

Hachimura was traded to Los Angeles in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks; a 2023 and 2029 pick via the Lakers and a 2023 pick via the Chicago Bulls. This deal looks to be a steal for Los Angeles, as Hachimura is still only 24 years old and brings some scoring punch to the forward spot.

While that deal has since been finalized, it sounds as if Los Angeles had another deal on the table with the New York Knicks. According to Marc Stein on his Substack, Cam Reddish could have been acquired for a similar package as what it cost to land Hachimura.

Both players were selected in the top 10 of the 2019 NBA Draft with Hachimura going ninth to the Wizards and Reddish going 10th to the Atlanta Hawks. While it can be argued that Reddish may have more upside given his combination of length and athleticism, Hachimura is the more established player right now.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, New York Knicks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

The Gonzaga product is a more efficient scorer, which the Lakers could certainly use more of. He also has chemistry with Russell Westbrook already, as they could anchor the second unit once Anthony Davis is healthy and back in the lineup.

Los Angeles also has a little better idea of what they are going to get from Hachimura compared to Reddish. He has been a consistent member of the Wizards’ rotation, providing consistent offensive production, while Reddish has been glued to the Knicks’ bench since December 3rd. Hachimura also provides the team with some insurance in case Davis suffers a setback of any kind.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, New York Knicks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

That could very well be the only move that Rob Pelinka makes ahead of the deadline unless something changes on the Russell Westbrook front. His contract and their future first-round picks would almost assuredly have to be packaged for Los Angeles to add another impact player to the mix.

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