The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the entire offseason focused on building a roster tailored to Luka Doncic’s preferences and needs. So far, Los Angeles has done a strong job staying active in free agency and reshaping the team.
The Lakers made their first major move of the summer by trading for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, a player reportedly targeted by Doncic himself.
“The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of center Walker Kessler on Wednesday was reportedly fueled by superstar guard Luka Dončić’s desire to play alongside him. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Kessler was the player Dončić “wanted at center most of all,” and a team source noted that it is believed Kessler will fit “perfectly” with both Dončić and Austin Reaves,” Bleacher Report’s Mike Chiari wrote.
On Monday morning, however, the Lakers lost Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.
“Free agent Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal to sign with the LA Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Hachimura and his agent Darren Matsubara of THE•TEAM came to an understanding with the Clippers early in free agency on finding a deal together. The sides waited for the Lakers to complete their offseason business to pursue a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers didn’t cooperate on one, according to a source close to Hachimura,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
It turns out Hachimura was also on a list of players Doncic preferred the Lakers to retain, making the loss even more notable. As a result, Los Angeles was unable to fully deliver Doncic’s ideal offseason.
“I’m told that Rui Hachimura was on the Luka Doncic preferred return list . Lakers wanted more defenders. Clippers had the cap space the Lakers didn’t have. Rui Hachimura wanted to stay in [Shohei] Ohtani’s town . Matchmaker made a match,” The Athletic’s Law Murray wrote.
Doncic has largely gotten the roster upgrades he wanted from the Lakers this offseason, but losing Hachimura still stands out as a significant blow. What likely stings most is that he ended up joining the cross-town rival.
Overall, the Lakers have had a strong offseason building around Doncic and Austin Reaves. Retaining Hachimura would have been the finishing touch on an otherwise productive summer.
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