Right before NBA free agency ended on July 6, forward Rui Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal by way of the mid-level exception with a new NBA franchise. The contract has a team option in the second season.
The former Los Angeles Laker won’t have to move his whole life to a new city, as he will be joining the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, California.
This is a value pickup for the Clippers and coach Tyronn Lue as Hachimira’s agent, Darren Matsubara of THE•TEAM, waited for the Lakers to complete their offseason business to pursue a sign-and-trade, but couldn’t come to an agreement. Southern California was always the desired destination for the native of Toyama, Japan.
Hachimura’s historic three-point shooting performance throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs helped prompt this deal. He now holds the all-time NBA record for the highest career three-point shooting percentage in playoff history at 51.6 percent.
In the 2025-26 season, Hachimura added 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 68 games played under coach JJ Redick.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
