Lakers News: Rui Hachimura Injury Could Lift LA’s Offseason Curse Amid Jerami Grant Trade Rumors, per Insider

After the Olympic-ending calf injury of Rui Hachimura, the offseason move that Rob Pelinka and Co. were trying to make with the Portland Trail Blazers has come to a standstill. Rather, it was expected that the Los Angeles Lakers’ small forward injury might leave the trade in the lurch since the 26-year-old would be of no immediate use to the Rip City. However, things can turn around as well if they are presented in a sweeter way to the Trail Blazers front office, as per Lakers Insider.

Recently, the Lakers Nation podcast host Trevor Lane, along with staff writer Ron Gutterman, discussed the possibilities of the Hachimura-Jerami Grant trade even after the calf injury that the Japanese small forward got in the match against France at the Paris Olympics. And it seems the possibilities might be smoldering but they are not out completely.

Rui Hachimura trade might still not be off the table despite the calf injury

As host Trevor highlighted how Rui Hachimura‘s extended injury period might trouble Rob Pelinka’s trade market, insider Ron G. did admit the fact but in an optimistic way as he said, “I guess you could say it changes the urgency of the if you trade Rui for Jerami Grant. But I think you can’t base it too much. If your entire strategy is banking on Rui Hachimura being healthy for the first 10 or 15 games of the regular season or like being set back a little bit. Your team is already off to a rough start.” The Lakers insider is theorizing on the fact that Hachimura’s injury might get well soon, and the early shock will not hurt the Lakers that much as he “doesn’t think Jerami Grant saving that necessarily.”

Building ahead on his probable narrative, Ron G. added, “I’m assuming Lakers are probably gonna do their due diligence, talk to Rui Hachimura, talk to his agent, and say what’s going on here? And If it’s really really bad and he could miss significant time, maybe that’s something the Blazers like if they’re trying to lose more games.” As per the insider, it all depends on how much Portland is interested in getting Hachimura and if they’re willing to sacrifice some games for the better.

The Trail Blazers have a lot of guards on the team, so the LA Lakers serving their physically crooked player as a “future move forward” for the Rip City might sound more enticing. On Hachimura’s behalf, Rob Pelinka will get a floor spacer like Jerami Grant, whose average is 40.2% from the three-point line. Also, Blazers will get hold of their finances since Grant is set to earn about $30 million this year while Rui Hachimura needs $17 million credit this year. It is a fair move but plays on the interested rating of the Portland front office. Nonetheless, if Rob Pelinka fails in landing Grant, the hope is not over since instead of a star, he might get fillers.

Top targets available for the Lakers after Rui Hachimura-Jerami Grant move

Though most of the offseason has passed, the only hope available to the Lakers right now in the free agency after Rui Hachimura-Jerami Grant trade with the potential to fill up their requirement of shooting from the outside are Doug McDermott, Landry Shamet, and Isaac Okoro. So even if the Lakers get unfortunate, there will be hope for someone keeping their championship hopes alive. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the hotshots in free agency who can mark their spot on the Lakers roster.

Isaac Okoro: Small Forward

Okoro of the Cleveland Cavaliers is a restricted free agent whose defensive abilities [3 RPG] will aid Anthony Davis on the rim with various defensive positions. On the other hand, his scoring ability is seasonal, but he is evolving into a reliable shooter, as his 3-point shooting average was 39.1% last season. Also, his explosiveness as a winger will cover for the main unit while scoring like he did, scoring 9 points per game in 2023-24. He comes cheaper to the roster, making him suitable for a compatibility test in case Rob Pelinka considers him.

Landry Shamet: Shooting Guard

Shooting guard from the Washington Wizards, Shamet, is exactly the position that the Lakers need to get for their roster. Well, the position is apt, but the performance of the 27-year-old shooting guard is not something perceived as consistent. He shot 33.8% from the arc and 43.1 field goal percentage. On top of that, his stat line of 7.1 ppg/ 1.3 rpg/ 1.2 apg from the last season does not echo the high-level abilities of a shooting guard. Yet he’ll come expensive than Okoro, who has much better stats, for $10 million.

Doug McDermott: Small Forward

McDermott of the Indiana Pacers is the third-best option that the Lakers have for their final move during the trade season. The 32-year-old is a league veteran; however, he also missed the last eight matches for Indiana due to a calf strain. Even if the Lakers are not looking for a future move with him, he must stay healthy to deliver the expected performance at the Lakers. But considering his record of injury woes and missed games, he seems a little hostile to the trade move. Though he averaged only 5.5 points last season, he still hails as one of the best shooters in the NBA with his 41% three-pointer percentage. Also, his defensive game is a little slow with 0.9 rebounds/game, but Anthony can have his back on that end. But the veteran services come at a price as Doug will be hoping for about $14 million or $13.75 million exactly from Pelinka.

At last, the window is still open for Rob Pelinka and the staff to recover from the Rui Hachimura calf injury. However, Hachimura himself can be a great asset if the Lakers pitch him the perfect way. What do you all think? Will Portland go for the deal, or will Pelinka go for smaller ones? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.