With Rui Hachimura Gone, Who Do the Lakers Target? Plus, Why LeBron and the Lakers Broke Up

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers · Jul 7, 2026 · 37m

We learned Monday morning that Rui Hachimura will be heading to Inglewood to join the Clippers next season, on a two year deal worth $28 million (with the second season a team option). The Lakers had reportedly hoped they might be able to keep Hachimura around, but clearly he hasn't been a priority, given the number of players they've already brought in, and the fact that Rui has been extension eligible for a while, and yet here we are.

So why is he gone?

For starters, the Lakers simply seem to be prioritizing players they believe are more multi-dimensional than Rui, who has essentially one…