Lakers dropped the ball with one of Luka Doncic's preferred targets

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most active teams in free agency.

Besides re-signing Austin Reaves and losing LeBron James, they've made mostly marginal moves, but they clearly have a vision for their roster.

Notably, Rui Hachimura may not have fit that vision. They let him walk, with the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly giving him a two-year, $28 million deal to stay in Southern California.

According to The Athletic's Law Murray, that decision may have rubbed Luka Doncic the wrong way, as he was a strong advocate for the Japanese forward.

Luka Doncic wanted the Lakers to keep Rui Hachimura

"I'm told that Rui Hachimura was on the Luka Doncic preferred return list," Murray shared on X. "Lakers wanted more defenders. Clippers had the cap space Lakers didn't have. Rui Hachimura wanted to stay in Ohtani's town. Matchmaker made a match."

The Lakers already gave Doncic the first thing on his list: a rim-running / rim-protecting big man, trading for Walker Kessler and moving on from Deandre Ayton.

Of course, they can't give their star player everything he wants; that's just not realistic or great business.

Also, after catering to LeBron James for so long and getting themselves in tough situations like the Russell Westbrook trade, they won't only consider Doncic's wishes when building their roster.

The Lakers might still need another star to complement Doncic and Reaves, but head coach JJ Redick has proven to be a savvy tactician who knows how to maximize his players' strengths.

They'll certainly miss Hachimura's three-and-D expertise in the wings, but there's still more than enough time left to find a suitable replacement.