When it comes to expiring contracts and contract decisions the Los Angeles Lakers will have to make over the next calendar year, lots of attention has been focused on Austin Reaves. He will almost certainly opt out of his current contract next summer, and while he and the Lakers seem to be motivated to work something out to keep him in town, he’s reportedly seeking at least $30 million a year on his next deal.
But it shouldn’t be forgotten that forward Rui Hachimura will also become a free agent next summer. The 27-year-old is somewhat underappreciated and even a bit underrated, but he has apparently found a home in L.A.’s starting lineup.
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On a recent episode of “Buha’s Block,” Lakers insider Jovan Buha said that, according to what he knows, the team will not offer Hachimura an extension between now and the start of training camp.
“With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks,” Buha said.
“It’s certainly possible that something happens, but I would say most of what’s been out there is them wanting to keep the books clean and wanting to see whether he starts or whether he’s their sixth man and how the pieces fit this year.”
It is well known that the Lakers want to maintain as much salary cap flexibility as possible for the next two summers, especially since future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo could become available. Additionally, if new center Deandre Ayton does well this season, one has to assume that L.A. will want to re-sign him to a long-term contract next offseason when he can opt out of his current contract. That could complicate its efforts to keep Hachimura, if the team does choose to keep him past this coming season.
This past season, Hachimura averaged 13.1 points in a career-high 31.7 minutes a game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers insider on whether Rui Hachimura will receive extension soon