Rui Hachimura has officially left the Lakers and is encouraging his supporters to move forward with him. On his verified Instagram page, @blacksamurai, a video was shared showing Hachimura handing a Clippers jersey to a young fan who was initially wearing his Lakers No. 28 jersey. The forward asked the boy to exchange it for the Clippers jersey instead, adding, “This one looks way cooler. Everyone, please go buy the Clippers jersey.”
In July, Hachimura agreed to a two-year contract worth $28 million with the Los Angeles Clippers. He played parts of four seasons with the Lakers, posting averages of 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, shooting 51.4% overall and 44.3% from beyond the arc during the 2025-26 season.
Hachimura is joining the Clippers amid a challenging period for the franchise. The team has lost five first-round draft picks, been fined $30 million, and faces suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank. This difficult phase comes as the Clippers strive to elevate themselves beyond the Lakers’ long-standing dominance in Los Angeles.
The upcoming 2026-27 season is crucial for the Clippers to regain fan support after a summer marked by scandal. Interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden publicly apologized during Clippers media day, acknowledging the fans’ frustrations and vowing to rebuild trust. He emphasized the team’s history of rising against adversity and promised to continue fighting for their supporters during tough times.
While the Clippers work hard to maintain their existing fan base, Hachimura seems eager to attract Lakers fans as well, aiming to make a strong impression in his first season with his new team.
Fan Take:
This move is significant as it symbolizes the ongoing reshaping of Los Angeles basketball loyalties, with Hachimura’s transition reflecting broader shifts within the NBA landscape. For fans, it marks an intriguing narrative of rivalry and redemption, potentially altering team dynamics and fan allegiances in a city passionate about the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
