Rui Hachimura has returned to the Los Angeles Lakers on a three-year deal worth $51 million, according to Shams Charania. Hachimura was a restricted free agent, but the Lakers didn’t want to risk another team signing him to a big offer sheet and have secured his services on a long-term deal.
RFA Rui Hachimura has agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal to return to the Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
Hachimura was moved at the trade deadline last season, and wound up becoming one of the Lakers’ most efficient frontcourt members from the time he stepped on the floor until the team was ultimately eliminated from the playoffs by the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
The 25-year-old big man was the team’s fifth-best scorer (12.2) throughout the postseason, and logged 24.3 minutes per game in 16 appearances. He also recorded his best career average of shots from inside the perimeter (55.6). If he can continue to grow offensively while remaining a solid defender, he’ll be a great signing for the Lakers.