The Clippers have found another piece for their post-Kawhi Leonard roster.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent forward Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers.
Charania reported that Hachimura and agent Darren Matsubara of THE•TEAM reached an agreement with the Clippers early in free agency. The sides initially hoped to complete the move via a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, but the Lakers weren’t interested in helping facilitate the deal.
Law Murray of The Athletic added that the second season of Hachimura’s contract will be a team option, giving the Clippers added flexibility moving forward.
The financial side of the signing is worth watching, too.
Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron noted that if the Clippers use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Hachimura, they’ll become hard-capped at the NBA’s first apron. The organization also has the option of using available cap space instead, which would avoid that restriction.
Either way, Hachimura’s arrival could affect the Clippers’ pursuit of other free agents.
According to Gozlan, adding the 27-year-old forward reduces the team’s ability to make a significant offer for restricted free agent Peyton Watson. If the Clippers hope to remain aggressive in free agency, they may need to create additional cap room by moving salary elsewhere.
Hachimura averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds last season and should step into a prominent role as they begin a new era without Leonard.
MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by position
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