Rui Hachimura’s summer move looked simple on the surface: stay in Los Angeles, cash the same money, and settle into a new home with the Clippers. But with the way the Clippers’ situation has unfolded, that choice is already being second-guessed.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Hachimura agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers after turning down other suitors.
“Free agent Rui Hachimura has joined the LA Clippers, the team announced, with sources telling ESPN he agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote. “Hachimura turned down offers from the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs because he wanted to remain in L.A. for the Clippers, sources said.”
Hachimura made it clear he was happy with the landing spot when he spoke about the decision. Staying in Los Angeles was the main attraction, and he pointed to the organization’s support structure and facilities as part of the appeal.
“Above all, being able to stay in LA is the best outcome for me,” Hachimura said. “They support their players of course, their families and inner circles from what I hear.
Plus they have a brand new arena with advanced physical and medical support and all kinds of useful tools for physical training. I'm really looking forward to all of it.”
Still, the timing of his choice has made the decision look a lot different in hindsight. NBA writer Dusty Garza tied that thought directly to the Clippers’ recent collapse and noted that San Antonio had been ready to bring Hachimura in with the full mid-level exception.
“Watching the Clippers implode today, you have to wonder if Rui Hachimura regrets his July free agency choice. The Spurs called him with the full MLE to put him next to Wemby on a contender with plenty of draft capital and a bright future but instead, he took the exact same money (2 years, $28M) to stay in LA with the Clippers (except the deal he took features a second-year team option. Ouch!),” NBA writer Dusty Garza posted.
The source material frames San Antonio as the cleaner long-term play, with the Spurs positioned to contend for years while the Clippers head in the opposite direction. That contrast is what makes Hachimura’s decision stand out now: he passed on a chance to chase a title path with the Spurs and instead chose to remain in L.A.
Hachimura has earned $71 million in his career so far. The draw of staying in Los Angeles was obvious, but the latest turn for the Clippers has made that decision look a lot more complicated than it did in July.
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