Rui Hachimura and the LA Clippers have reached an understanding on a deal early in the NBA free agency period, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Hachimura and his agent, Darren Matsubara of THE•TEAM, had reportedly been working toward a partnership since the start of the signing period.
According to the report, the sides initially waited for the Los Angeles Lakers to conclude their own offseason maneuvers. The intention was to pursue a sign-and-trade agreement between the two Los Angeles rivals; however, sources indicate that the Lakers did not cooperate on the proposed transaction. This lack of cooperation from the Lakers' front office forced Hachimura and the Clippers to move forward with their own arrangement.
Hachimura, a key contributor for the Lakers during their most recent playoff run, now appears set to join a Clippers roster looking to retool its frontcourt. The move marks a significant intra-city jump for the forward, who originally joined the Lakers via trade from the Washington Wizards.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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