When NBA free agency opened several weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers quickly lost LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes. Once their new-look roster started to take shape, they still had a big hole at one of their starting forward positions, and there was some hope that they would retain forward Rui Hachimura.
However, Hachimura opted to join the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that is clearly on a downward trajectory, instead. The Clippers aren't exactly the faux-contenders they were a few years ago, especially now that star forward Kawhi Leonard is apparently on his way out, pending a trade to the Toronto Raptors, and that Paul George, James Harden and Ivica Zubac are long gone.
But Hachimura, via ClutchPoints, raved about the Clippers organization and said that he's "so happy" to be a member of the team.
"I'm just so happy," Hachimura said. "The Clippers are an amazing organization. Even when talking to other NBA players, they always rave about how great the Clippers organization is. It's truly a player-first team, you know. They take care of their players while having that winning mentality. The Clippers are a young team. A year ago, they were called the oldest team in the league, but they've transitioned to a younger generation especially with Kawhi Leonard getting traded. Joining them right as they build this next generation is huge for me, and I'm incredibly excited."
The Clippers are now built around Darius Garland, whom they acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Harden, and rookie Keaton Wagler, who was the No. 5 pick in June's draft. They may miss the playoffs again this coming season, but Hachimura also cited a couple of other reasons for choosing them.
#angeles
However, Hachimura opted to join the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that is clearly on a downward trajectory, instead. The Clippers aren't exactly the faux-contenders they were a few years ago, especially now that star forward Kawhi Leonard is apparently on his way out, pending a trade to the Toronto Raptors, and that Paul George, James Harden and Ivica Zubac are long gone.
But Hachimura, via ClutchPoints, raved about the Clippers organization and said that he's "so happy" to be a member of the team.
"I'm just so happy," Hachimura said. "The Clippers are an amazing organization. Even when talking to other NBA players, they always rave about how great the Clippers organization is. It's truly a player-first team, you know. They take care of their players while having that winning mentality. The Clippers are a young team. A year ago, they were called the oldest team in the league, but they've transitioned to a younger generation especially with Kawhi Leonard getting traded. Joining them right as they build this next generation is huge for me, and I'm incredibly excited."
The Clippers are now built around Darius Garland, whom they acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Harden, and rookie Keaton Wagler, who was the No. 5 pick in June's draft. They may miss the playoffs again this coming season, but Hachimura also cited a couple of other reasons for choosing them.
#angeles
2 months ago
