The 2022-23 NBA season is formally over for the Los Angeles Lakers after LeBron James and firm struggled to compete in opposition to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets within the Western Convention Finals.
Regardless of being swept by the Nuggets in 4 video games throughout that collection, the season was successful for the Lakers after a rollercoaster journey within the common season and an excellent run within the postseason, which began within the play-in match.
One of many causes for the Lakers with the ability to flip issues round this 12 months and get so far as they did within the playoffs was the addition of newcomer Rui Hachimura.
Earlier than the Lakers despatched Russell Westbrook packing within the blockbuster commerce to usher in D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley, Los Angeles made a take care of the Washington Wizards to usher in Hachimura, and at this level, it’s wanting prefer it was a steal.
On Friday, the Lakers tweeted Hachimura’s highlights through the playoffs in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Nuggets.
Rui’s mid-range mastery: Playoff version pic.twitter.com/BFxUH3ixW0
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 2, 2023
With Hachimura placing on a present through the playoffs, the 25-year-old heads in the summertime with some leverage as he’s set to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent subsequent month.
In 16 video games through the postseason, Hachimura averaged 12.2 factors and three.6 rebounds per recreation, taking pictures 55.7% from the ground and 48.7% from past the arc.
Hachimura proved to be a beneficial piece to the puzzle for the Lakers and will certainly have his fair proportion of suitors as soon as he turns into a free agent, with Los Angeles hoping to retain his providers for subsequent season and past.
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