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It's not often a player goes directly from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Los Angeles Clippers.
That's what Rui Hachimura has done, though.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Hachimura is getting a two-year, $28 million deal to join the Clippers.
Just in: Free agent Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Cixx1ZGPV3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2026It's a notable loss from the Lakers' rotation, on top of the known departure of LeBron James.
It never really seemed like the Lakers wanted to bring Rui back, though.
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Why did the Lakers let Rui Hachimura leave?
The Lakers had to let Hachimura's cap hold go in order to create space for the Walker Kessler trade and a bunch of free agent signings.
In essence, they prioritized other players over Hachimura.
Was there a price point that may have brought Rui back? Probably.
It likely wasn't the $14 million per year that the Clippers are paying Hachimura, though.
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Why do the Clippers want Rui Hachimura?
In some ways, he's their Kawhi Leonard replacement.
They traded Kawhi to the Raptors, and Hachimura is obviously not as good as him. But in terms of the places he can occupy on the floor, Rui has a lot of crossover with Leonard.
The Clippers are in a period of transition, but bringing aboard Hachimura seems like a safe, stabilizing move.
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