The Mavericks had a chance to add a proven floor-spacer who fit cleanly next to Luka Doncic, but Rui Hachimura is headed elsewhere.
Hachimura agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers on Monday, a contract that uses Los Angeles’ mid-level exception and includes a team option for the second season. Dallas was in the mix too, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
He wrote, "The Mavericks, who still possess the full $15 million midlevel, emerged as a suitor for Rui Hachimura along with the Clippers on top of Brooklyn's long-held interest ."
The Mavericks, who still possess the full $15 million midlevel, emerged as a suitor for Rui Hachimura along with the Clippers on top of Brooklyn's long-held interest ... but Hachimura had a clear intention to stay in LA after 3 1/2 seasons as a Laker. https://t.co/PqxJ18SDF0
- Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 6, 2026
In the end, Hachimura chose to remain in Southern California, leaving the Lakers for their hallway rivals. That decision stings for both the Lakers and the Mavericks, because he spent the last 3½ seasons showing exactly why teams value him: he can stretch the floor, keep possessions simple, and punish defenses that collapse on a primary creator.
This past season, he shot 44.3% from deep while averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. In the playoffs, he raised that level again, posting 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds when Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined by injury.
Dallas still has a crowded frontcourt and can lean on P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin, and Naji Marshall for minutes.
The team also still holds onto the full $15 million mid-level exception. But the market for pure shooters at Hachimura’s price is thin, and losing one of the few available options to a division rival is a tough blow.
With the frontcourt already packed, Dallas may now have to turn to a trade if it wants to clear the logjam and find the kind of affordable shooting Hachimura would have provided.
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