Amid the injury bug sweeping the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder might have it worse than any other team. In the same game, against the LA Clippers, both Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams left early. It was later revealed that Wallace, who suffered a torn labrum, and Williams, who dislocated his ankle, will need surgery and may miss the rest of the season. If that wasn’t enough as it is, Alex Caruso is going to be out for some time due to a sprained ankle.
As a result, the Thunder desperately need a reliable, score-first wing on a team-friendly contract with no long-term obligation to stay in the playoff hunt. No one is a better target than Rui Hachimura, a bucket-getting power forward on a $14 million annual salary with an upcoming club option, who could immediately help relieve some of Oklahoma City’s problems.
The Clippers may look to shop Hachimura, especially if he can net draft capital in return. This move would literally be a win-win for both sides.
Rui Hachimura’s playstyle would fit very well in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s system
A role player who can score at a high level. This is what the Oklahoma City Thunder need, and, quite frankly, it’s a perfect way to describe Rui Hachimura.
While Hachimura has struggled to score efficiently since starting with the LA Clippers, we all know the reputation he built during his time with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers.
For context, Hachimura averaged over 17 points in 11 playoff games for the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting an out-of-this-world 54.9% from the field and 56.9% from outside.
He would be a complementary offensive threat to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell, who will need it, given the attention they'll get with Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace sidelined for an extended period.
If Wallace or Williams, or both, return to action near the end of the season, the Thunder will be scarier than ever.
Of course, if somehow Hachimura disappoints the Thunder, or they aren’t convinced enough to keep him for at least another year, they can make him a free agent by declining his team option.
That said, Hachimura is literally the perfect target. It’s just a matter of when Sam Presti realizes it, and how long it takes him to act before time runs out, either the Thunder drop in the standings or the Clippers trade him elsewhere.
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