On Monday, the first NBA trade of the season occurred, sending Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Lakers and Kendrick Nunn to the Washington Wizards.
Along with receiving Kendrick Nunn, the Wizards also obtained three future second-round picks from the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers- B Incoming Assets- Rui Hachimura
While Kendrick Nunn has provided solid basketball all year for the Lakers, averaging 6.7 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists, Nunn just doesn’t fit what the Lakers currently need.
The Lakers have lacked height all season at the small forward position, often playing a mix of Nunn, Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves at the position, who are all guards. While many argue basketball is a positionless game nowadays, players’ roles can vary heavily when playing the forward position compared to the guard position.
Rui Hachimura, the former lottery pick selection, will provide much-needed height and solid scoring ability for the Lakers. Hachimura stands at 6’8” and has averaged 13 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists during his time in Washington this season.
Hachimura is currently at the end of his rookie deal. This trade will give the Lakers full rights to match any contract he receives this offseason.
Additionally, adding Hachimura will allow many of the guards in Los Angeles to return to their former positions. This could result in more organized and efficient basketball for the team.
Even with adding Hachimura to the roster, this does not push the needle for the Lakers to make solid noise in the playoffs. The Lakers would not even appear in the play-in tournament if the NBA season ended today.
The future of the season for the Lakers relies on two critical things.
Suppose Anthony Davis returns to the roster in a timely fashion and plays at the same level as he was before his injury. Then, the Lakers find a trade partner for their remaining picks; they can make a serious push in the playoffs.
For this trade, the Lakers receive a solid score of a B. As mentioned, this trade doesn’t push the needle, but it’s still a clear indicator that the Lakers are heading in the right direction.
Washington Wizards- B+ Incoming Assets- Kendrick Nunn, 2023, 2028, and 2029 second-round draft picks.
A long offseason is ahead of the Wizards.
Currently sitting at a record of 21-26, the trade of Hachimura to the Lakers indicates the Wizards will be a selling team ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
It’s unknown whether Kendrick Nunn will get serious playing time behind guards Monte Morris, Delon Wright, and Bradley Beal. But the main asset in this trade for the Wizards is the future second-round picks.
The Wizards look to be shifting towards a complete rebuild, as the Wizards had no interest in bringing back Hachimura for future seasons. These second-round picks may not be the most valuable in the world. But they are sure a start to the arsenal of picks the Wizards can acquire through trades if they continue to sell at the deadline.
One of the team’s top contributors, Kristaps Porzingis, has a contract that offers a player option at the end of the season. However, with how the Wizards have been playing, Porzingis will likely decline his player option and find a new team ahead of next season.
Considering his contract structure, Porzingis will likely be a hot target for teams at the trade deadline.
The Wizards receive a B+ for this trade. Acquiring assets for players is better than letting them go for nothing. This trade is likely a precursor to the future decisions the Wizards will make ahead of the trade deadline and this offseason.
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