Latest news with #RuiHachimura
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
7 Best 3-Point Shooters The Lakers Could Acquire This Summer
7 Best 3-Point Shooters The Lakers Could Acquire This Summer originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Despite boasting Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers' 2024-25 campaign ended in frustration: a dominant 50-32 record (Pacific Division champions) culminated in a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Timberwolves. The offense, averaging an average of 113.4 PPG (which ranked 19th), nonetheless showed cracks, mainly from the perimeter. Advertisement While LA ranked 5th in three-point attempts at 36.4 per game, their 36.6% 3-point clip, 14th in the league, lagged behind elite contenders. To put it in comparison, the Cavaliers shot 38.3% and the Thunder shot 37.3%. Those two teams had the best records in the NBA. Individually, LeBron chipped in 24.4 PPG, 8.2 APG, and a solid 37.6% from deep, while Luka bolstered the attack but struggled to draw enough perimeter support. Only Rui Hachimura (41.3%), Dorian Finney-Smith (39.8%), and Jordan Goodwin (38.2%) shot at least 38% from deep. Finney-Smith has a $15,378,480 player option next season, and he might leave the team for a better contract. That means the Lakers don't have many sharpshooters around Doncic and James for next season, and moves have to be made. With Luka's floor-spacing capabilities carrying much of the load, the Lakers need a reliable group of sharpshooters to stretch defenses and reduce opponents' ability to collapse at the rim. To elevate their ceiling in 2025-26, LA must surround its stars with knock-down shooters, ones who can convert at least 38% from deep while providing spacing, off-ball movement, and perhaps two-way value. Advertisement Here are seven of the best three-point specialists the Lakers could target this summer to turn their perimeter woes into championship firepower. 1. Duncan Robinson Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Contract Status: $19,888,000 Player Option Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Duncan Robinson Miami Heat Receive: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2025 No. 55 Overall Pick Duncan Robinson remains one of the league's purest catch-and-shoot specialists. In 74 games this past season with Miami, he averaged 11.0 PPG, knocked down 39.3% from three on 6.5 attempts per game, and chipped in 2.4 APG as a spark off the bench. He continues to be deadly when defenders overcommit; his career 39.7% 3PT-FG demonstrates sustained elite efficiency. Advertisement Adding Robinson offers the Lakers a floor-spacer who excels in LeBron-Luka pick-and-pop actions, and it comes at a low cost if he opts out. While not a two-way force, his off-ball gravity helps reduce paint collapses, freeing up lanes for drives and kick-outs. A trade swapping Vincent, Kleber, and a second-rounder could net LA a veteran threat without mortgaging rotational depth. 2. Luke Kennard Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent Luke Kennard took another step as a reliable bench sniper this season in Memphis, posting 8.9 PPG, 47.8 FG%, and 43.3% from deep in a 6'5" frame that profiles well for spacing. His 3.3 APG also signals secondary playmaking chops, valuable in a rotational wing role. Advertisement Kennard's motion off-ball and high-level shooting would slot neatly next to LA's stars. He can stretch the floor in baseline actions, spot-up in duels, and serve as a mid-range safety valve when defenses ignore him. If the Lakers land him on a team-friendly deal, Kennard offers steady returns in minutes and efficiency, plus a young veteran vibe that blends well into a competitive mix. 3. Naz Reid Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) looks down the court during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter during game one of the Western Conference Finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Contract Status: $15,022,464 Player Option Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Naz Reid Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, 2025 No. 55 Overall Pick Naz Reid delivered another solid campaign for Minnesota: 14.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 46.2% FG across 80 games, with serious impact off the bench as a stretch-five. His uptick in scoring versatility, even earning Sixth Man of the Year buzz last season, shows he can do more than just spot-up: he finishes around the rim and rolls well. Advertisement For L.A., Reid represents a shift in frontcourt dynamics. At 6'9", he can stretch defenses with a 37.9% three-point shot, reducing drop-back pressure and opening rolling lanes. His decision, whether to exercise that player option, will hinge on opportunity and fit. In a role as possibly the new starting center, Reid offers shooting and scourge-proof size. 4. Gary Trent Jr. Mar 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) dribbles defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent Gary Trent Jr. finished hot in Milwaukee, averaging 11.1 PPG, 43.1% FG, and being a consistent rotational wing. He caught fire mid-season, shooting 41.6% from three on 5.9 attempts per game, working his way into the Bucks' closing lineups. Advertisement Trent combines catch-and-shoot prowess with two-way effort; he defends with physicality and makes hustle plays. His late-season impact and playoff spark (with a 33-point outburst vs. Indiana) prove he can handle big moments. LA could lock him in on a 3-year deal (approx. $8–10M/year) and get both floor spacing and scrappy veteran presence. 5. Tim Hardaway Jr. Mar 3, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) walks up the court during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to be a dependable perimeter threat, averaging 11.0 PPG, on 40.6% FG and 36.8% 3-PT FG, and chipping in on the weak side. While his scoring dipped from the mid-teens, he still offers veteran savvy and plays off playmakers well. Advertisement Hardaway's shot creation and experience could give the Lakers stability at the 2/3 swap positions. He spaces the floor, cuts with purpose, and is comfortable in both bench and spot-start roles. A one-year prove-it contract might re-ignite his efficiency and stretch L.A.'s floor evenly around LeBron and Luka. 6. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) passes in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images© Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker posted 9.4 PPG, 43.8% FG, 38.1% 3PT-FG, and reputable playmaking (2.7 APG) across 82 games, as a multi-positional wing known for toughness. He also delivered in the 2025 playoffs, averaging 8.3 PPG and 2.3 APG over 16 contests. Advertisement NAW brings positional versatility; he defends smaller wings, cuts aggressively, and keeps defenses honest from deep. If LA signs him, his size/skill combo adds another layer: a beam to rotate across 1-3 with moderate ball-handling and hustle elements. He's the type of glue role player that LA hasn't bolstered yet. 7. Chris Paul Oct 15, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles the basketball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent At age 40, Chris Paul led the San Antonio Spurs in assists (7.4 APG) and played all 82 games, averaging 8.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 42.7% FG, and 37.7% 3PT-FG. His durability (first to play all 82 at age 39+) and floor leadership remain hallmarks. Advertisement Paul would provide L.A. with a lottery-tested floor general, both as an insurance for Luke and as a late-game veteran closer. His gravity, precision passing, and organizational impact, especially in late-clock situations, could be worth a veteran-minimum gamble. And yes, he still splashes triples at a solid clip. Related: Lakers' Targets For Starting And Backup Center Roles Revealed This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider gives update on rumored Lakers-Jazz trade talks
According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers have already started trade discussions lately, even though the NBA Finals haven't ended yet. One beat reporter for the Utah Jazz said they have had discussions with the Jazz about both center Walker Kessler and forward John Collins. While Kessler could be the ideal player to plug L.A.'s massive hole at the 5 spot, Collins could be a questionable fit. While he can play the 3 and the 5 positions, he's primarily a power forward. L.A. already has LeBron James, whose primary position these days is power forward, as well as Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt to play at that spot. Advertisement According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, the Lakers have offered Hachimura to Utah for Collins. He also reported that many in the organization like the idea of having Collins on the roster. Via ClutchPoints: "Sources close to the Los Angeles Lakers say that internally, they have long been fans of John Collins, who has the ability to stretch the floor both as a deep threat or someone who can finish well above the rim," Irwin wrote. "Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would be an especially great fit alongside Luka Doncic. Since their season ended, they've held a few conversations with the Utah Jazz to try to land the 27-year-old big man, with Rui Hachimura often the centerpiece of the deal." The writer also noted that there is a possibility L.A. lands both Collins and Kessler. "The Lakers have also remained interested in Walker Kessler and will likely remain as such until the end of time, so another possibility some around the league are wondering about is if a bigger deal involving Collins and Kessler could be in the works. Issue there is the Lakers' lack of draft capital, as sources have indicated the price for Kessler is still quite high." Additionally, Irwin wrote that the decision of whether to swap Hachimura for Collins or keep Hachimura isn't a simple one for the Lakers' front office. "A Collins-Hachimura swap would feel like a bit of a side-step for both Utah and L.A. as the players are so similar. They're both big wings who primarily guard power forwards and space the floor. Hachimura is a little smaller and thus can move his feet better on the perimeter, but Collins' size helps him rebound more consistently. Collins' abilities as a vertical threat have made him a little more popular to some in the Lakers organization. "This isn't to say Hachimura doesn't have his share of favorable voices in the Lakers offices. He has improved each season he's been in the organization. He was one of the few players who truly competed in that fifth and final game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's willingly played out of position at times and done so without complaint. The Lakers truly do value what he brings to the table. Those who prefer Collins do so because of the improved fit." Collins, who is 6-foot-9 and 226 pounds, averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks a game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.9% from the field this season. He has a $26.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider gives update on rumored Lakers-Jazz trade talks
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rui Hachimura Named in Lakers Trade Report on Thursday
Rui Hachimura Named in Lakers Trade Report on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura has been a dependable role player his entire career, but that doesn't mean he won't get shipped out this summer. Advertisement The 27-year-old averaged 13.1 points on 50.9 percent shooting (41.3 percent) with five rebounds over a career-high 31.7 minutes this past season. He's a viable option to aid LeBron James in the frontcourt until he retires, but he could be sacrificed for the Lakers' most pressing need. Los Angeles hasn't had a reliable center since it traded Anthony Davis in February's Luka Doncic deal. The club was set to send the Charlotte Hornets a package including Dalton Knecht for Mark Williams, but nixed it when the latter failed his physical exam. The Lakers have discussed trading Hachimura for a big man, via ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin. Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20).Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images "Sources close to the Los Angeles Lakers say that internally, they have long been fans of John Collins, who has the ability to stretch the floor both as a deep threat or someone who can finish well above the rim," he reported on Thursday. Advertisement "Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would be an especially great fit alongside Luka Doncic," he continued. "Since their season ended, they've held a few conversations with the Utah Jazz to try to land the 27-year-old big man, with Rui Hachimura often the centerpiece of the deal." The 6-foot-9-inch Collins is a power forward like the 6-foot-8-inch Hachimura, so he wouldn't solve Los Angeles's center issue. However, Collins averaged 19 points on 52.7 percent shooting (39.9 percent) with 8.2 rebounds over 30.5 minutes this past season. The Lakers also like Utah's seven-foot center Walker Kessler, via Irwin. Advertisement "The Lakers have also remained interested in Walker Kessler and will likely remain as such until the end of time, so another possibility some around the league are wondering about is if a bigger deal involving Collins and Kessler could be in the works," he continued. "Issue there is the Lakers' lack of draft capital, as sources have indicated the price for Kessler is still quite high." The 24-year-old Kessler averaged 11.1 points on 66.3 percent shooting with 12.2 rebounds over 30 minutes this past season. Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target Related: Luka Doncic's Former Mavericks Teammate Posts Immediate Reaction to Cooper Flagg News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Why Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is telling Lakers fans to keep 'hands off' Ohtani
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has a playful message for Lakers fans about Shohei Ohtani now that the baseball and NBA teams will have the same majority owner. 'Hands off of Shohei,' he said smiling. 'They've got enough superstars wearing the purple and gold. Leave him alone.' Social media on Wednesday was rife with photos of the Japanese two-way superstar's face and body in a Lakers jersey after news broke that Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter is buying a majority interest in the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion. Fox baseball analyst Ben Verlander posted on X: 'We're really about to have Shohei Ohtani out here dropping 50 on Christmas Day for the Lakers. What a time to be alive.' Another person suggested Ohtani could be a two-way player for the Lakers, while someone wondered if the Lakers would start Ohtani at the 2 or 3 position. Others thanked Ohtani for deferring most of his $700 million, 10-year contract and–as one person posted–putting all that money in Mark Walter's pockets so he can buy and save the Lakers franchise. The Lakers already have a Japanese player in forward Rui Hachimura. 'I think Hachimura is taking care of the Japanese side of things,' Roberts said. 'We'll have Shohei on the baseball side.' Last December, Ohtani and his wife attended a Lakers game and were presented personalized jerseys. His wife, Mamiko Tanaka, played four seasons for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women's Japan Basketball League. Roberts appeared to warm to the suggestion that he might be sitting in the celebrity-packed courtside seats at Lakers games this winter. 'I'm sure a lot of people have hit Mark up,' he said, 'but I might add myself to the list.'
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Why Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is telling Lakers fans to keep 'hands off' Ohtani
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has a playful message for Lakers fans about Shohei Ohtani, now that the baseball and NBA teams will have the same majority owner. 'Hands off of Shohei,' he said, smiling. 'They got enough superstars wearing the purple and gold. Leave him alone.' Social media on Wednesday was rife with photos of the Japanese two-way superstar's face and body in a Lakers jersey after news broke that Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter is buying a majority interest in the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion. Fox baseball analyst Ben Verlander posted on X: 'We're really about to have Shohei Ohtani out here dropping 50 on Christmas Day for the Lakers. What a time to be alive.' Another person suggested Ohtani could be a two-way player for the Lakers, while someone wondered if the Lakers would start Ohtani at the 2 or 3 position. Others thanked Ohtani for deferring most of his $700 million, 10-year contract and, as one person posted, 'putting all that money in Mark Walters' pockets so he can buy and save the Lakers franchise.' The Lakers already have a Japanese player in forward Rui Hachimura. 'I think Hachimura is taking care of the Japanese side of things,' Roberts said. 'We'll have Shohei on the baseball side.' Last December, Ohtani and his wife attended a Lakers game and were presented personalized jerseys. His wife, Mamiko Tanaka played four seasons for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women's Japan Basketball League. Roberts appeared to warm to the suggestion that he might be sitting in the celebrity-packed courtside seats at Lakers games this winter. 'I'm sure a lot of people have hit Mark up,' he said, 'but I might add myself to the list.' ___ More AP baseball:
