Rui Hachimura opted to join the Los Angeles Clippers, a team staring down a “downward trajectory,” even after the Lakers lost LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes in free agency and clearly hoped to retain him. That’s a bold choice when Kawhi Leonard is apparently on his way out via trade, Paul George, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac are long gone, and the Clippers themselves might miss the playoffs again next season. So why the heck did he do it?
“Amazing Organization” and a Youth Movement
Hachimura, speaking via ClutchPoints, spilled the beans, saying he’s “so happy” to be a Clipper and raving about their setup. He called the Clippers an “amazing organization,” a “player-first team” that truly takes care of its players while still having that “winning mentality.” Even other NBA players, he said, “always rave about how great the Clippers organization is.” This isn’t the same squad from a few years back, remember, when they were called the oldest team in the league. Now, with Kawhi Leonard getting traded, they’ve “transitioned to a younger generation.” For Hachimura, joining them “right as they build this next generation is huge,” and he’s “incredibly excited.” This new Clippers core is built around Darius Garland, who they got from the Cavaliers for Harden, and rookie Keaton Wagler, the No. 5 pick from June’s draft.
LA Living and a Bet on Himself
Beyond the team’s internal shifts, Hachimura cited a couple of other major factors for his move. “Above all, being able to stay in LA is the best outcome for me,” he said. Plus, he’s heard they support their players’ families and inner circles, which is huge. He also pointed to their brand new arena, boasting advanced physical and medical support and “all kinds of useful tools for physical training.” But don’t think it’s all about comfort; Hachimura made it clear, “My top priority was winning.” He felt the Clippers, with their roster construction, team organization, and style of play, “felt like they gave me the best opportunity.” It’s also his first time playing on a team with younger players since his Washington Wizards days, after always being on veteran-heavy rosters. Hachimura sees this as a chance to help “build and shape that L.A. culture” for an organization that’s only been in town a few decades.
This isn’t just a move for Hachimura; it’s a calculated bet on himself and this young core. With his 3-point game exploding from 31.9% in 2022-23 to a sizzling 44.3% last season, and his career playoff 3-point accuracy now first all-time at 51.6% after hitting 56.9% “this spring’s playoffs,” he’s clearly bringing firepower. The Clippers have Garland and Wagler to build around. What a wild ride this season could be, as Hachimura looks to prove this “player-first” gamble pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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