Lakers want to re-sign Rui Hachimura

The Lakers are interested in re-signing forward Rui Hachimura in the offseason. Rob Pelinka and the front office acquired Hachimura at the deadline, and he has become one of their best role players.

The 25-year-old forward will be a restricted free agent this offseason. The Lakers will be able to match offers from other teams since he is restricted. According to Eric Pincus, Hachimura could get a deal between $13-16 million annually.

It was reported earlier in the offseason that his contract would be around $10 million per season, but with his great play on this playoff run, that number has gone up.

RUI HACHIMURA pic.twitter.com/Dde0l16xrs

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 3, 2023

Hachimura is leading LA in bench scoring in this playoff run, averaging 12/4/1. He is shooting at very high efficiency at 57.7 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three.

Hachimura has also played solid defense during this playoff run. The Lakers have many key players heading into free agency. Hachimura, along with D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, should be the priorities to re-sign.

However, there are other free agents like Dennis Schroder that Pelinka wants to bring back.

Lakers bench scoring this postseason 😳

Rui Hachimura: 107 Pts
All others: 108 Pts pic.twitter.com/twgJng6wDG

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 5, 2023

Hachimura was a great addition at the deadline, and LA will want to re-sign him. Expect him to re-sign with the Lakers on a deal of around three years, $39 million. This is the contract that Pelinka gave Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the 2020 offseason.

There will be difficult decisions for the front office to make when the season is over. The Lakers currently hold a 3-1 lead in the 2nd round over the defending champion Warriors.