Will Rui Hachimura still be in Washington after the NBA Trade Deadline on February 9? Nothing is less certain in view of the latest rumors concerning him. What is certain, however, is that the young Japanese has every intention of reminding everyone of his value three weeks before the fateful date. The proof last night.
30 points, equaled career record, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, all at 13/22 shooting including 3/5 from 3-pointers.
No doubt, Rui Hachimura had a message to convey yesterday during the match between Washington and Orlando. An XXL performance which contrasts with his point zero against the Knicks a few days ago, but which above all comes at a time when rumors about him seem to be on the rise.
On January 18, insider Shams Charania hinted that the Wizards had begun discussions with other NBA franchises for a potential transfer of Hachimura. Corridor noises which obviously reached Rui’s ears, and which may have represented an additional source of motivation yesterday for the latter.
“I want to be somewhere where they appreciate me as a basketball player, I want to be somewhere where they appreciate my game. I don’t know if it will be in Washington, we’ll see.
I just have to play my game. I know what I’m capable of, and I can help a team win. Whether here or elsewhere, I can help teams.”
– Rui Hachimura, after Saturday’s game (via ESPN)
Whether his future is in the US capital or elsewhere, Rui Hachimura remains a talented player with a future which could well “help teams” as he says himself, in particular on the offensive level (in defense it is another story). Certainly he is irregular, certainly he misses a lot of games, certainly his statistics suggest that he is stagnating in terms of his individual progress (13 points and 5 rebounds on average in his career, 48% in shooting including almost 36% at 3-points ), but the 9th choice of the 2019 Draft has a generally sought-after physical profile in the current NBA (winger of 2m03 for 104 kilos) and at almost 24 years old, it still seems early to give up on him.
It will therefore be interesting to see what the Wizards will do on this file. As a reminder, Rui Hachimura is destined to become a restricted free agent next summer, and Washington has the firm intention of extending Kyle Kuzma…
Rui Hachimura vs Orlando Magic
30 PTS (ties career-high)
5 REB
2 BLK
13/22 FG
3/5 3P
+20 in 30 minutes.#Wizards W.#DCAboveAll #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/sa6o8ModH8— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) January 22, 2023