Rui Hachimura joins Clippers on reported two-year deal

Rui Hachimura has joined the LA Clippers, with ESPN reporting the deal is for two years and $28 million. The move keeps the 28-year-old forward in Los Angeles after his run with the Lakers.

According to the source report, Hachimura and agent Darren Matsubara had an early free-agency understanding with the Clippers, while a possible sign-and-trade with the Lakers did not come together. Details around that negotiation, including what each side wanted, are attributed to unnamed sources and should be treated cautiously until more is public.

The basketball case for the Clippers is clear: Hachimura is coming off a highly efficient season. He averaged 11.5 points while shooting 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from three in the regular season, then raised his scoring to 17.5 points in the playoffs with even stronger shooting numbers.

For the Lakers, this continues an offseason with several roster decisions around outgoing free agents. For the Clippers, Hachimura adds size and shooting on the wing, while ESPN also reports the team remains interested in restricted free agent Peyton Watson.