Last season Rui Hachimura was available on the trade market. The Washington Wizards were looking to get rid of him. Hachimura played three plus seasons with the Wizards before ultimately being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. In his three plus seasons with the Wizards, Hachimura averaged 13 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, shot 47% from the floor and 35% from three.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Did the Suns Have A Real Shot At Getting Hachimura?
It was widely reported that the Wizards offered the Phoenix Suns, Hachimura for Jae Crowder. Crowder was on the Suns’ roster for most of last season but did not play until he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a four team deal. In the four team deal the Suns got back future hall of famer, Kevin Durant. The Suns also traded away Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and a boatload of draft picks.
Now, there is no telling if Jae Crowder would of been important enough to break up that deal. My guess is that the deal would of gotten done with or without Crowder going to Milwaukee. So, that brings up the big question.
Did the Suns make a mistake by not grabbing Hachimura when they had the chance?
Rui Hachimura has played very well for the Lakers since being traded there. He has averaged 9.9 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and shot 49% from the field while playing 21 minutes per game. In the playoffs last season Hachimura stepped up in a major way scoring 12.2 points per game while shooting 55% from the floor and 48% from three in 24 minutes per game.
This sounds like the type of production that could of helped the Suns in the playoffs last season. Outside of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, Phoenix struggled to find consistent production. The former Gonzaga Bulldog as established himself as important role player for Los Angeles.
Japanese stars Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura have already come a long way in their #NBA careers. Tonight, the two key role players will square off in what should be a highly competitive matchup in the #Suns and #Lakers first In-Season Tournament Game.
pic.twitter.com/WBPWSMECbI— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) November 10, 2023
As the Lakers and Suns are set to face each other tonight in the first game of the in-season tournament for both teams. I can’t help but wonder how good Rui Hachimura would be playing on this Suns’ team.
Since Crowder was used as a part of the Kevin Durant trade, no matter how small his part was. It was the right move to hold on to him. The fact that the Suns had Devin Booker and Kevin Durant was a huge part in Bradley Beal waving his no trade clause to come to the valley. So, even with how good Hachimura has played, there is no need to second guess the Suns’ move to not get him. There may not be a big three of Booker, Durant, and Beal, if Hachimura was on the team.
Now, hopefully we get to see the big three of Booker, Durant, and Beal actually play together. It won’t be tonight as Booker is out with a calf strain but hopefully its sooner rather than later.
