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Spurs Emerge as Top Suitor for Lakers Free Agent Rui Hachimura

Insiders say his elite three‑point shooting combined with San Antonio’s payroll space could force the Lakers to choose how to spend limited cap room.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that ESPN insider Bobby Marks named the San Antonio Spurs a credible offseason suitor for Hachimura because the team has cap flexibility and a clear need for floor spacing.
  • Hachimura closed his three‑year, $51 million deal with the Lakers and becomes an unrestricted free agent at the new league year, bringing a career‑high 44.3% from three this past season and 56.9% in the playoffs.
  • Marks projected Hachimura’s open‑market value around $15–16 million per season while other analysts expect competitive multi‑year offers, signaling potential bidding pressure this summer.
  • The Lakers have publicly identified Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes as priority retention targets but have not made a public offer and must balance those decisions with moves around Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James’s situation.
  • San Antonio’s Finals weakness from distance helped drive interest because a stretch power forward could better complement Victor Wembanyama, and a signing could change both teams’ roster plans and the wider free‑agency market.