Rui Hachimura, the Japanese International, is the latest addition to the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers as Rob Pelinka secured his trade by giving up on Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards.
Hachimura, the talented forward who was a former teammate with Indiana Pacers star Domantas Pacers, is a former lottery pick after spending 3 seasons with the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 2016 to 2019. Recently, Sabonis revealed how Rui had already considered a home in Hollywood as he has finally landed at his dream destination.
The Purple and Gold are needed to add strength and boost their scoring prowess around a young star, for which Hachimura sits perfectly in the side alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
As per Theo Lawson, “Domantas Sabonis was finishing shootaround in Sacramento when he learned about Rui Hachimura to the Lakers. Told me Hachimura “spoke it into existence” years ago when #Gonzaga was playing at Staples Center in the NCAA tourney. “He was like, ‘Yeah, I’m home. This is my city.”
Hachimura has been inconsistent for the Washington Wizards in his spell and was seemingly in good form in the 2022-23 season. But will he be able to deliver with and for a squad that has witnessed a roller coaster ride when multiple MVPs in its roster? Remains to be seen.
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