Rui Hachimura and his postseason performances may have earned him a massive payday this summer, but the Los Angeles Lakers forward says free agency has barely crossed his mind.
After helping lead the Lakers to a first-round upset over the Houston Rockets, Hachimura addressed his upcoming unrestricted free agency following Los Angeles’ playoff exit.
Despite speculation around his future, the forward made it clear his attention remained entirely on basketball throughout the season.
“I [haven’t thought] about it at all. I didn’t talk to my agent. I haven’t talked to my people at all about free agency,” Hachimura said after the Lakers were eliminated. “I knew I was a free agent, but I haven’t been thinking about that. I don’t think about those kind of stuff. I’m just trying to play, get through the season and make the playoffs, trying to win the series. I was just focused on that. I haven’t talked about it.”
Hachimura became one of the Lakers’ most reliable playoff contributors, especially during stretches when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined.
His elite three-point shooting and increased offensive production played a major role in Los Angeles advancing past Houston before eventually falling in the second round.
While the business side of the NBA now takes center stage, Hachimura admitted he still has a strong connection to the organization and the people inside it.
“But I love this team, I love this organization since I got here,” Hachimura continued. “This is my fourth season with them. Rob, the owners, Jeanie, the new owner Mark, I just like them. I just like how they operate, everything. I really appreciate them and what they’ve done for me. They did a lot for me. I love it here.”
The Lakers still have time to negotiate an extension before free agency officially opens on June 30, though there is growing belief around the league that Hachimura could test the open market after the postseason run he just delivered.
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