INGLEWOOD — Clippers forward Rui Hachimura wanted to stay in L.A., not just in the city but with the Lakers. He loved his three-plus seasons wearing purple and gold, much of it playing alongside guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves.
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But the charismatic sharpshooter found himself looking for work on the free agent market this summer after being an integral part of the Lakers’ starting frontcourt. The Lakers had informed Hachimura that they were not interested in re-signing him, pivoting instead to center Walker Kessler and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili.
It sounds harsh, especially when the Lakers started free agency with the most salary cap space in the league (more than $51 million) but opted to spend their cash on Collin Sexton, Kessler and Mamukelashvili, moving on from one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA playoff history (51.6%).
Hachimura averaged 12.6 points last season with the Lakers and shot the highest 3-point percentage (56.9%) in league playoff history during the team’s 10-game postseason run, which ended with a second-round sweep against Oklahoma City.
Hachimura, 28, isn’t resentful. He signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers, a move that not only keeps him in his L.A. home but makes him a key rotation piece with a new team.
“It was a great three, four seasons with the Lakers,” Hachimura said. “I had a great time. They took really good care of me. I appreciate the organization (but) it was time to move on.
“I’m happy that I’m here, with the Clippers, one of the best organizations and to have this arena, the coaching staff, trainers, everybody. So, I’m happy that I’m here, it’s just a different team.”
Hachimura doesn’t get much time to adjust to his new teammates before seeing his old teammates. The Clippers visit Crypto.com Arena on Friday night for the first of two games against the Lakers over the next five days.
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The teams square off again next Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Hachimura said after the Clippers’ season-opening win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. “I’m going to see all my (former) teammates and coaches and playing in that arena is special.
“I’m excited to see the fans. I love them, the fans and all that. So yeah, it’s a special game, but it’s one of those where we got to get the dub. We got a great dub today and we’re going to come out with a good win. So yeah, we got to focus on that.”
WAGLER’S BIG NIGHT
After just one NBA game, Clippers rookie guard Keaton Wagler has joined some historical conversations. His 15 points on 50% shooting, to go with five rebounds, five assists and two steals made him the second-youngest player to have that kind of NBA debut since … LeBron James.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer finished with 25 points, six rebounds and nine assists as a 19-year-old in his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 29, 2003.
Wagler, 19, also joins Ernie DiGregorio as the only Clippers rookies to have at least 15 points and five assists in a season opener.
Wagler said he wasn’t nervous but was happy to get his first game over.
“It’s always good to start it off with a dub and play well,” he said. “Just got to continue to build on that and get better each day.”
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CLIPPERS AT LAKERS
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV/Radio: Clippervision, Spectrum SportsNet, 570 AM