The Golden State Warriors have a checklist for this offseason. Size? Check. Athleticism? Check. Shooting? Check.
They lost Jonathan Kuminga in a trade. They lost Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody to long-term knee injuries. Their frontcourt is thin, old, and in desperate need of reinforcement.
Warriors could steal one of Luka Doncic’s most important players
Enter Rui Hachimura.
The 28-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward just finished another productive season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a career 42% three-point shooter over the last three years. He’s efficient. He’s consistent. He’s exactly what the Warriors need.
And according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, his market value is around four years, $64 million — the equivalent of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
That’s a price the Warriors can afford.
The Lakers want to keep him. They have cap space. But they might prioritize bigger names. And if they do, the Warriors should swoop in and steal him.
Let me break down why Hachimura fits, what he would bring to Golden State, and why this move would be a double victory — improving the Warriors while hurting their Pacific rival.
The Hachimura Profile: Consistency and Efficiency
Let me start with the player.
Rui Hachimura is 28 years old. He’s 6-foot-8, 230 pounds. He’s been a key rotation piece for the Lakers over the last three seasons.
His numbers over that span:
12.7 points per game
4.1 rebounds
52.1% shooting from the field
42.6% shooting from three
Those are not star numbers. But they’re not role-player numbers either. They’re “high-end role player” numbers. The kind of player every contender needs.
This season, Hachimura started 68 games. He averaged over 28 minutes per game. In the playoffs, his minutes jumped to 38.6 per game — first on the team.
When the games mattered most, the Lakers trusted him.
The Playoff Leap: Hachimura Without Doncic
Let me highlight the most impressive part of Hachimura’s season.
In the playoffs, with Luka Dončić injured, Hachimura’s production skyrocketed:
17.5 points per game
55% shooting from the field
57% shooting from three
73% from the free throw line
Those are All-Star numbers. That’s what Hachimura can do when given a larger role.
The Warriors need offensive punch. They need someone who can score when Stephen Curry is on the bench. Hachimura has shown he can do that.
The Fit: Why Hachimura Is Perfect for Golden State
Let me talk about the basketball fit.
The Warriors need three things in their frontcourt: size, shooting, and prime-age players.
Hachimura checks every box.
Size: At 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, he’s big enough to play power forward. He can guard multiple positions. He won’t get bullied.
Shooting: 44.3% from three this season. That’s elite. He can space the floor, stand in the corner, and knock down open looks created by Curry.
Prime-age: He’s 28. He’s entering his prime. He’s not a project. He’s not a veteran on his last legs. He’s ready to contribute now.
The Warriors’ system is built on ball movement, shooting, and spacing. Hachimura thrives in that environment.
The Financials: The Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception
Let me get into the money.
According to Bobby Marks, Hachimura’s market value is around **four years, 64million∗∗—roughly64million∗∗—roughly16 million per year.
That’s the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Warriors have access to that exception depending on what happens with Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis.
If Green opts out or Porzingis walks, the Warriors could have the full MLE available.
That’s enough to sign Hachimura.
The Lakers’ Dilemma: Cap Space vs. Priorities
Let me look at the other side.
The Lakers are one of only three teams projected to have significant cap space this offseason. They can re-sign Hachimura if they want to.
But they might not want to.
The Lakers are chasing bigger names. They want to build around Luka Dončić. They might prefer to use their cap space on a different free agent — perhaps a bigger star, perhaps a different positional need.
If the Lakers hesitate, if they lowball Hachimura, if they get distracted by shinier objects, the Warriors can swoop in.
The Revenge Factor: Stealing from a Rival
Let me talk about the emotional angle.
The Warriors and Lakers are Pacific Division rivals. They’ve battled for years. Every move that hurts the Lakers is a move that helps the Warriors.
If Golden State can steal Hachimura away from Los Angeles, it’s a double victory:
They get a player they need.
They take a player the Lakers need.
That’s not just roster building. That’s competitive warfare.
The LeBron Connection: Hachimura as a Fallback
Let me address the elephant in the room.
The Warriors are interested in LeBron James. Everyone knows that. LeBron is the bigger name. LeBron is the bigger prize.
But LeBron is also 41 years old. He’s a short-term solution. He might not even leave the Lakers.
Hachimura is 28. He’s a long-term piece. He’s a player who can grow with the Warriors’ young core.
If the Warriors miss out on LeBron — and they probably will — Hachimura is the perfect fallback option.
What Hachimura Would Bring to Golden State
Let me paint a picture.
Imagine a Warriors lineup with Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Rui Hachimura, and Draymond Green (or another center).
That’s a lineup with shooting, defense, and spacing. Hachimura spaces the floor. He knocks down corner threes. He attacks closeouts. He rebounds.
He’s not a superstar. But he’s a high-level role player. And the Warriors need high-level role players.
The Competition: Who Else Wants Hachimura?
Let me mention that the Warriors aren’t alone.
Several teams will be interested in Hachimura if he hits the open market. The Sacramento Kings. The Phoenix Suns. The Miami Heat.
But the Warriors offer something those teams can’t: a clear path to playing time and a system that maximizes his skills.
Hachimura would be a starter in Golden State. He’d play 30+ minutes a night. He’d get plenty of shots.
That’s appealing.
Final Verdict: Make Hachimura a Priority
Here’s my honest take.
The Golden State Warriors should make Rui Hachimura a priority this offseason. Not a fallback. Not a second option. A priority.
He’s 28. He’s 6-foot-8. He shoots 44% from three. He’s efficient. He’s consistent. He’s exactly what the Warriors need.
The price — four years, $64 million — is fair. The fit is perfect. The opportunity to steal him from the Lakers is too good to pass up.
The Warriors have a checklist for this offseason. Hachimura checks every box.
One thing’s certain: If the Warriors sign Rui Hachimura, their frontcourt problems are solved. And the Lakers lose a key piece. That’s a win-win.