FILE – LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands next to Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP
The Los Angeles Lakers completed a deal to send bodyguard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks to the Washington Wizards to buy striker Rui Hachimura on Monday.
Hachimura, 24, is averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 30 appearances off the Wizards bench this season.
“Adding both size and depth to the wing is a goal, and the opportunity to achieve that by buying a player with Rui’s two-way skill and reversal is an opportunity that doesn’t come up often. now,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a release.
OFFICIAL: Welcome to #LakeShow, @rui_8mura! pic.twitter.com/STh8mBsbpP
– Los Angeles football team (@Lakers) January 23, 2023
Hachimura was the 9th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He started all 105 games he played in his first two seasons with the Wizards before being relegated to a substitute role. The Japanese-born has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during his career.
Nunn, 27, is averaging 6.7 points and 13.5 minutes in 39 games (two starts) with the Lakers this season. He has a career average of 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 162 games (113 appearances) with the Miami Heat (2019-21) and the Lakers.
Rui Hachimura, ladies and gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/s6GRIjjYwT
– Los Angeles football team (@Lakers) January 24, 2023
Both players became Rookies in 2019-20.
Wizards President Tommy Sheppard said: “Kendrick has shown the ability to be a solid perimeter threat who can attack immediately as a reserve force. “He has proven to be a valuable contributor throughout his youth career, most notably in a pivotal role in helping Miami reach the Finals.”
Washington is also buying the Chicago Bulls’ second-round pick in 2023, a less favorable second-round pick between the Lakers and the Wizards in 2028, and the Lakers’ second-round pick in 2029.
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