Zach Lowe Thinks Lakers Should Offer $26 Million Per Year Deal To Underrated Forward

Rui Hachimura has been extension eligible since July 6, and The Ringer's Zach Lowe believes the Los Angeles Lakers should sign him up long-term now. On the latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe made the case for why Hachimura deserves to get a deal worth about $26 million a year from the Lakers.

"They can offer Rui Hachimura enough money to pique his interest," Lowe said. "I think his extension would start somewhere around 26 million and go up from there based on his current salary. I think Rui Hachimura is good. I think he's actually underrated.

"When I hear the discussions about who would come off the bench if they decide to [start] Marcus Smart, he's a de facto answer," Lowe continued. "And I get that because it's not going to be [Deandre] Ayton. You're not going to start small.

"And it's not going to be any of the LeBron [James], Luka [Doncic], and [Austin] Reaves, it's politically probably difficult for that to happen," Lowe continued. "I'm just like I don't know that the answer to whatever problems the Lakers might have is like less of a 40%-ish three-point shooter with some one-on-one skills and defensive versatility playing around the star players."

The Lakers acquired Hachimura from the Washington Wizards back in January 2023. The 27-year-old has been a starter for each of the last two seasons and has been one of their best three-point shooters in that time.

Hachimura shot 42.2% from three in 2023-24 and 41.3% in 2024-25. There aren't too many players in the NBA who have shot that well from beyond the arc over such a long period of time. Hachimura has hit those shots when it's mattered most as well, having made 46.4% of his threes for the Lakers in the postseason.

Hachimura, who averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 2024-25, is now entering the final year of the three-year, $51 million deal he signed with the Lakers in 2023. He will earn $18.2 million in 2025-26, and Lowe thinks a notable pay raise would be well deserved.

Lowe isn't the only one who thinks Hachimura deserves the big bucks. Lakers insider Anthony Irwin also believes the 27-year-old will sign a deal in that range whenever his next contract comes along.

As for when that might be, Hachimura might have to wait for a while. Lakers insider Jovan Buha doesn't think the team will extend him before the start of this upcoming campaign.

There is also a chance that Hachimura might not be with the Lakers for much longer. They have reportedly reopened negotiations with the Miami Heat over an Andrew Wiggins trade. You'd imagine Hachimura would be headed to the Heat if this trade does materialize at some point.

The Lakers won't be parting with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, or Austin Reaves in a Wiggins trade. Hachimura is their most valuable trade asset after the star trio, which makes him a prime candidate to be shipped out of town in this deal or any other significant trade, for that matter.