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Lakers Target Hachimura Amid LeBron Future Uncertainty

7/1/2026

Summary

Lakers Target Hachimura

The Lakers will try to re-sign forward Rui Hachimura when free agency opens June 30.
Hachimura averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, shot 51.4% and 44.3% from three, with an $18.2 million cap hit.
The Spurs, with a $15 million exception, and the Nets, with over $40 million cap space after adding Julius Randle, are linked to Hachimura.
The Lakers must also decide the futures of LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes.

Summary

Lakers Seek Center

The Los Angeles Lakers have over $50 million in cap space and a $29.5 million mid-level exception while pursuing a center upgrade after LeBron James departed.
Guard Quentin Grimes, a 6-foot-5, 210-lb player, averaged 13.4 points on 45% shooting this season.
Philadelphia 76ers president Mike Gansey said the club will try to retain Grimes and Oubre Jr.
Forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili, 6-foot-9 and 240 lb, posted 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds while shooting 52.3% this season.

History

Historical Context

The NBA reinstated a salary cap in 1984-85, limiting teams to about $3.6 million, and has since expanded to a $154.647 million soft cap by 2025-26. The Los Angeles Lakers have repeatedly leveraged these exceptions—most recently holding over $50 million in space plus a $29.5 million mid-level exception—as they target Rui Hachimura’s $18.2 million contract, now set to sign.

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Lakers Target Hachimura

The Lakers will try to re-sign forward Rui Hachimura when free agency opens June 30.
Hachimura averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, shot 51.4% and 44.3% from three, with an $18.2 million cap hit.
The Spurs, with a $15 million exception, and the Nets, with over $40 million cap space after adding Julius Randle, are linked to Hachimura.
The Lakers must also decide the futures of LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes.

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