Rui Hachimura Signs Two-year, $28M Contract With Clippers
WHO:
RealGM Basketball - Nick Martinelli, Los Angeles Clippers
NY Post - Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers
RealGM Basketball - Rui Hachimura, Shams Charania, Peyton Watson, San Antonio Spurs, Tobias Harris, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks
WHAT:
RealGM Basketball - The Clippers signed Nick Martinelli to a two-way deal.
RealGM Basketball - Hachimura had waited on a possible sign-and-trade involving the Lakers, but they ultimately didn't cooperate on a deal.
NY Post - Rui Hachimura is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Los Angeles Clippers.
RealGM Basketball - Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers.
RealGM Basketball - Hachimura earned $18.3 million last season and averaged 17.5 points per game on 54.9% shooting, including 56.9% from three-point range, during the playoffs.
RealGM Basketball - Hachimura had interest from the San Antonio Spurs before they signed Tobias Harris.
WHERE:
RealGM Basketball - Los Angeles, California
NY Post - Los Angeles, California
RealGM Basketball - Los Angeles, California
WHEN:
RealGM Basketball - Martinelli was selected with the 55th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
NY Post - Teams were able to start signing free agents to contracts and complete trades as of 9:01 a.m. PT.
WHY:
RealGM Basketball - Hachimura prioritized remaining in Los Angeles and chose the Clippers over interest from the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks.
HOW:
RealGM Basketball - The Clippers signed Martinelli as part of their roster-building strategy following the draft.
RealGM Basketball - The Clippers will use their mid-level exception to sign Hachimura, which leaves open the possibility of acquiring Peyton Watson via sign-and-trade.
(UPDATED July 7, 2026 08:07 UTC)
The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Nick Martinelli to a two-way deal as part of their roster-building strategy following the 2026 NBA Draft. Martinelli was selected with the 55th pick in the draft, which took place earlier this year. This signing marks an important step for the Clippers as they look to enhance their team in Los Angeles, California.
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(UPDATED July 7, 2026 01:37 UTC)
Rui Hachimura had been waiting for a potential sign-and-trade involving the Lakers, but the team ultimately did not move forward with a deal. As of 9:01 a.m. PT, teams were allowed to begin signing free agents and completing trades. This marks an important moment in the NBA offseason as teams look to strengthen their rosters.
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(UPDATED July 6, 2026 17:52 UTC)
Rui Hachimura is making a move from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Los Angeles Clippers, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $28 million. Last season, Hachimura earned $18.3 million while averaging 17.5 points per game with impressive shooting percentages, including 56.9% from beyond the arc during the playoffs. He chose to stay in Los Angeles despite interest from the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, and the Clippers will utilize their mid-level exception for this signing, potentially paving the way for a sign-and-trade involving Peyton Watson.