SUMMARY
- A video on X showed Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell were visibly upset over something.
- Fans began speculating that there is a potential trade coming up involving them.
Rui Hachimura has recently been targeted as a trade asset and fans aren’t necessarily happy about it. It isn’t any secret that the Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling a lot lately. This team came into the 2023-24 season as one of the strongest contenders for the title. However, they only managed to maintain that status up until the In-Season Tournament Finals. Even then, they weren’t a top-five team in the Western Conference either.
Since the NBA Cup Championship game, the Lakers have achieved a terrible record of 8-13. However, the only good part of this run is that they’ve won three of their last five games. Amidst all the rumors that are circulating in the league, fans are urging the Lakers to keep Hachimura.
Why were D’lo and Rui in tears after tonight’s Lakers game….
Something is going on 😢 pic.twitter.com/0W9WFUygzv
— JAKE (@KingJakeonX) January 22, 2024
One fan said, “Lakers locker room quiet, DLO sounds emotional, Rui doesn’t look right. Something is going on.” Another fan said, “Please do not trade Rui Hachimura. @lakers.” These comments surfaced after the Lakers uploaded a video on X of Hachimura walking into the player’s tunnel seemingly upset.
this is the saddest LA he has ever thrown up 💔
I love you Rui https://t.co/vprRRnh7Vr— karin. 🇦🇲 (@KarinAbcarians) January 22, 2024
please do not trade rui hachimura. @Lakers
— ._. (@xX_fogellsID) January 22, 2024
Lakers locker room quiet, DLO sounds emotional, Rui doesn’t look right. Something is going on… 🤔
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) January 22, 2024
But as unfortunate as it sounds, the Lakers are looking for trade scenarios that they can dip their toes into. According to various reports, Rob Pelinka is in search of a guard who has defensive abilities. LA has already been linked to a couple of teams that are on the market. Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell are being heavily mentioned as potential trade assets.
Is Rui Hachimura on a trade restriction clause?
In 2023, before the previous season’s trade deadline, Rui Hachimura was acquired from the Washington Wizards for Kendrick Nunn and three draft picks. There, he was under a one-year player option worth $6.26 million. It ended after the conclusion of the 2023 NBA Finals, which Hachimura was a big part of. Eventually, he became a free agent and the Lakers chose to re-sign him to a three-year $51 million deal.
This deal was under a trade restriction until January 15, 2024. Now, Hachimura can be used as an asset by the Lakers. Similarly, even Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ starting shooting guard was also under a trade restriction. But unlike Hachimura, Reaves may not be used as a trade asset especially because of how valuable he is to the team’s starting lineup.
Rui Hachimura with the follow up after the miss🔥 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/fPdh16WfSc
— Lakers Royalty (@LakersRoyalty) January 18, 2024
Rui Hachimura has been averaging 11.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game coming off the bench with LA’s second unit. Right now, there isn’t much of a market for Hachimura and teams haven’t shown interest in the big man. This is an issue for the Lakers who are currently trying to pursue Dejounte Murray. Teams are interested in Reaves instead.
