Renewal or deal? What is the future of the Lakers at 27-year-old Hachimura?

How many people have noticed Hachimura’s future in the Lakers?

Recently, The Athletic reporter Dan Woike talked about Hachimura on the show. He said: "If Hachimura plays another excellent season, then he should continue to stay with the Lakers and sign a multi-year contract, even if this will sacrifice some future operation space.

But if his defense improvement is not realistic and his shooting performance shows signs of decline (he has had two excellent shooting performances in full seasons), then maintaining the flexibility of the salary space will be a better choice for the Lakers."

Let's talk about Hachimura's current contract situation first. In 2023, he signed a three-year, 51 million contract renewal with the Lakers. This contract will enter the last year next season, with an annual salary of 18.26 million. According to the labor-management agreement, he can sign a four-year early renewal with a starting salary of 25.56 million.

However, throughout the offseason, you can hardly see any news about "The Lakers will/may/will renew their contract with Yamura". In comparison, Doncic, who has been clearly the core of the Lakers' future, has signed a three-year maximum salary to renew his contract in advance. Reeves, who is also regarded as part of the Lakers' future, also received a four-year renewal offer of 89.2 million yuan, but was rejected by Reeves.

So the question is, what is Yamura Lesen's current level? How much is it worth? Where will his future be in the Lakers?

Here you might as well look at the performance of Hachimura Sei's performance in the past two seasons:

—2023-24 season, played 68 games, started 39 games, averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, shooting percentage of 53.7%, three-point shooting percentage of 42.2%, real shooting percentage of 62.8%

—2024-25 season, played 59 games, started 57 games, averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, shooting percentage of 50.9%, three-point shooting percentage of 41.3%, real shooting percentage of 6 1.9%

Hiramura's advantages are obvious. He was not an efficient scorer during his Wizards. In the half season he was traded to the Lakers in 2023, his three-point shooting percentage was as low as 29.6%, and his real shooting percentage was only 55.6%.

But in the past two seasons, Hachimura has made great progress in shooting, with slightly improved output and significantly improved efficiency, which has enabled him to show considerable spatial attributes. In addition, Hachimura can also attack with the ball, have strong ability to play singles in dislocation, and can end it near the middle distance.

Superi Yakumizu, who can hold the ball occasionally, have excellent three-pointers and are also good in shape, is very popular in this era. The Lakers need a player like him to open up space and consume the ball for Doncic, James, and Reeves.

But Yamurazui's problem is also quite obvious. His defense is not good, or it can be said to have certain limitations. He is in good physical condition and can play against the heavy front line of the third and fourth positions (this point overlaps with James). However, the horizontal movement is average, and the flexible and speed players are easily at a disadvantage. When he is in the fourth position, the franchise protection and rebounding are not tough enough.

Due to the defensive end, Hachimura's positioning in the Lakers is actually a bit embarrassing. Only by playing the fourth position can you hide the shortcomings of horizontal movement slowness, but this position requires better rim protection rebounds, and the best candidate is James. If playing the third position, the defensive shortcomings are too great, and Doncic and Reeves were directly exposed in the backcourt.

With the arrival of Ayton and Laravia, it can be expected that Hachimura's role will be reduced a lot next season, and his dessert position will definitely be taken away by these two people. Considering that next year is his contract year, this may affect his enthusiasm. In terms of personal value, if stable projection can be maintained, it is not surprising that he will renew his contract by 15 million to 20 million in the market, but the problem is that the main goal of the Lakers is to make room for 2027. The second Lakers' team building strategy, Yamura Len, is not the best choice.

The success of the Mavericks in 2024 shows that Doncic needs a third and fourth position with an offense and defense, and the defense is greater than the offense. Just like PJ Washington, Hachimura Sei definitely cannot do this. Combined with the Lakers' lineup next season, Hachimura Sei's advantages can basically be found to be replaced, so the possibility of him being traded is actually very high, and it is very likely that he will be traded in the middle of the season.

Before the contract expires and leaves, the Lakers can exchange Hachimura as a bargaining chip for some draft assets to continue preparing for possible big deals in 2027, or change to a more suitable third position, just like Russell for the main body last season to exchange Finney Smith.

Summary: Hachimura is capable. He is at the peak of his peak at the age of 27. He has played two more shooting highlights and can still attack with the ball. However, due to defensive issues, his adaptability to the current Lakers is not the best. In addition, the Lakers want to make room, so the contract renewal is likely not to come - from the situation this summer, there is no sign of possible renewal.

Of course, the situation may be different. For example, Hachimura Ei still maintains a stable and efficient shooting next season, and then the Lakers exchanged other resources (such as Kneckett?) for a better front line, so Hachimura Ei can continue to be active on the bench. However, it is not easy to say whether he is willing to take on a lower role than before, and let's wait and see in the future.