NBA Rumors: Lakers, Rui Hachimura, Kings, DeMar DeRozan, Suns

Lakers

The Lakers are clearly hunting for wing help, and Rui Hachimura’s name is in the mix.

According to Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Los Angeles has made Hachimura and his $18.3 million expiring contract available as it surveys the trade market. Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) have also been floated in discussions, per Scotto.

The list of potential targets is long and fluid. League chatter has connected the Lakers to names such as De’Andre Hunter, Naji Marshall, Saddiq Bey, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keon Ellis, along with previously linked players like Herbert Jones, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga.

Ironically, Hachimura’s recent strong play has both boosted his value and complicated the decision to move him, Turner notes. The Lakers also continue to gauge the market on second-year wing Dalton Knecht, who has fallen out of the regular rotation.

Kings

Sacramento remains active and creative.

Scotto reports the Kings have explored the idea of packaging DeMar DeRozan with Keon Ellis in trade talks.

Domantas Sabonis continues to draw inquiries as well, with at least one team told Sacramento would seek a first-round pick in any deal.

In Raptors-related conversations, RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji have come up, though the Kings remain reluctant to take on long-term money tied to Jakob Poeltl or Immanuel Quickley.

Suns

Phoenix is scanning the market for a power forward upgrade.

Fischer confirms the Suns want more scoring punch than Royce O’Neale currently provides, but the front office is being careful not to sacrifice long-term flexibility for a short-term fix.