After rumors heated up last week that the\u00a0Wizards were working on a trade involving Rui Hachimura, the Wizards ninth overall draft pick in 2019 has officially been traded to the\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers\u00a0in a deal that includes Kendrick Nunn and several draft picks (a 2029 second via Chicago, 2029 LA second, and less favorable of 2028 Washington\/LA seconds).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deal was completed Monday afternoon just minutes after\u00a0news broke that Wizards coach Wes Unseld, Jr. stated Hachimura missed practice for \u201cpersonal reasons.\u201d Rui seemed to be aware that a trade was imminent when he spoke postgame after the Wizards victory against the Orlando Magic\u00a0on Saturday. Hachimura was not formally scheduled to speak but media caught up with him as he prepared to leave Capital One Arena following the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked about his desire to be traded and more, he did not give the impression that he passionately wanted to stay in Washington. In fact, it felt more like the\u00a0writing was on the wall for Hachimura<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to be somewhere that values my game. I just want to be somewhere that trusts and believes in me, and I can be myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked if that could be in Washington, Hachimura responded: \u201cI don\u2019t know. We\u2019ve got to find out.\u201d Hachimura will join former Wizards Troy Brown, Jr, Thomas Bryant, and Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and a trade became more likely as Kyle Kuzma solidified himself<\/a> as a priority\u00a0to sign to a long-term deal. The Lakers traded for Hachimura with the intention of signing him to an extension this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those trade rumors have now proven to be true.After Saturday’s game,\u00a0Bradley Beal<\/a> who has played with Hachimura his entire time in Washington, spoke highly about Rui’s growth and journey as a Wizard.\u00a0He also noted that Hachimura has one of the best pump fakes in the league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n