Rui Hachimura (25, Japan) talked about the future for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
In an interview with ESPN on the afternoon of the 10th (Korean time), Hachimura said, “I loved my time with the Lakers.”
Hachimura is a young big forward who joined the Lakers from the Washington Wizards last season. He recalled his days in Washington, saying, “I asked for a trade to find a place where I could be happy,” and said that he was happy at the Lakers, saying, “The Lakers are a team that liked and believed in me as a basketball player and gave me a lot of attention.”
“I was eliminated after losing to Denver in the Western Conference Finals, but I got the driving force to grow,” he said, emphasizing that it was an unforgettable memory of last season’s playoffs as a member of the Lakers.
However, Hachimura said, “I still don’t know what my future will be, but I want to be in a place where I can be happy. The Lakers did well, let’s wait a little longer.”
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ offseason focus is on retaining Austin Reeves. However, protecting Hachimura is considered as the top priority as well as Reeves.
Hachimura joined the Lakers in January, and after a period of adaptation in the regular season, he shone in the playoffs. In 16 playoff games, he played an average of 24.3 minutes per game, averaging 12.2 points, 55.7% field goal success rate, and 48.7% 3-point success rate.
Hachimura, who filled the gap left by LeBron James on the Lakers roster last season as a big winger, became undoubtedly an instant power player.메이저놀이터
Hachimura will become an RFA (restricted free agent) this summer and is expected to receive at least $15 million. Attention is focusing on whether the Lakers will continue to accompany Hachimura in the next season while meeting Hachimura’s expectations.