Lakers Trade Rumors: $51,000,000 Forward's LA Tenure Likely Ending

It's no secret that the LA Lakers need massive upgrades around the nucleus of a Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves-led team to contend for a title next season. One of their key needs is to add a reliable presence at the center position. As presently constructed, LA doesn't have a traditional big man on its roster.

While the problem is detected, finding the solution won't be that simple. The Lakers have one first-round pick in 2031 to trade and multiple swaps, which probably don't hold much value. Amid their lack of resources, the Purple and Gold might be forced to make a call on trading Rui Hachimura, who enters the final year of his $51,000,000 contract next season.

Hachimura is their best available trade asset after producing one of his most efficient seasons in the NBA. He averaged 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 50.9%, including 41.3% from deep on a career-high 4.2 3-point attempts. Hachimura also made strides defensively as a versatile presence, playing a lot of small-ball five.

On Thursday's episode of "Buha's Block," Lakers insider Jovan Buha hinted at why trading Hachimura is emerging as a likely prospect for Rob Pelinka and Co. amid the need for upgrades. Here's what Buha said:

"If they're bringing in a center, then you look at the fifth spot in the starting group, and I don't think Rui [Hachimura] is the optimal fifth guy. I think offensively, he can be with his spot-up shooting, ability to attack closeouts, the cutting, and like, he fits well. He's turned himself into a 40%+ 3-point shooter.

"But defensively, you either need a big, defensive wing or big, defensive guard, or maybe someone who can do a bit of both and guard one through three and whoever is the best opposing perimeter scorer."

(23:42)

Buha noted that Rui Hachimura overlaps the defensive roles of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith as players who guard bigger forwards. While Hachimura, 27, is the better player compared to Finney-Smith, his expiring contract and age make him a more valuable asset to get immediate and quality help.

That could either be for a center or a perimeter defender who can be the point of attack defensive stopper. Hachimura will make $18.3 million next year, and that contract can essentially help LA get a center on a similar deal or slightly more expensive.

Lakers' Rui Hachimura might be essential in a trade for Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton

One of the prominent names linked with the LA Lakers is Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton. He still has three years left on his deal and is not on the same timeline as Brooklyn's roster, making him one of the likeliest candidates to switch teams this offseason.

The Lakers have already established a decent relationship with Brooklyn after the two organizations engaged in a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith last December. That dynamic alone won't help LA land Claxton easily, so including Hachimura in a potential trade might.

Hachimura's expiring contract holds significant value for a team like the Nets, which is rebuilding and wants money off its books. With Claxton on an expiring contract, it might be the ideal scenario for Brooklyn to trade with LA for a piece like Hachimura in return, who is easier to move at the deadline.

Hachimura's $18.3 million contract is only $7.1 million short of Claxton's $25.4 million deal. The salary matching won't be as complicated. The Lakers will have to add a couple more players in the trade to strike a deal.