For months, fans of the Los Angeles Lakers have criticized the team for not making a trade to improve the roster and being cautious when it came to rumored deals.
On Monday, the Lakers finally made a move, sending guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks to the Washington Wizards for forward Rui Hachimura.
It may not be the blockbuster that makes them championship contenders fans have dreamed of, but it should move the needle.
Hachimura’s 3-point shooting is a concern. He is 33.7% from that distance this season after hitting 44.7% from downtown last season, so it is unknown whether he will help L.A. with its biggest weakness.
He may not be a bad defender, but he isn’t considered a great defender either, although at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds and with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he should have the tools to improve in that area.
But this is definitely a very solid trade for the Lakers, and it should bring them several benefits.