Rui Hachimura has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency. The forward signed a two-year, $14.1 million contract with a player option, according to Jake Fischer.

Hachimura was originally set to move across the city in a sign-and-trade deal as part of the Lakers' attempt to acquire center Walker Kessler, finally pairing a true big man with the organization's primary scoring options, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. However, the Clippers' terms did not satisfy the Lakers' demands, according to Shams Charania.

The Japanese national reportedly asked his agents to keep him in Los Angeles, preferring the Lakers' cross-city rivals, the Clippers, as his destination. Multiple teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Brooklyn Nets, submitted offers to the former Lakers role player, according to Marc Stein.

The forward will join fellow Clippers newcomers Brandon Ingram and Darius Garland.

Hachimura joined the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season in a trade from the Washington Wizards, who selected him ninth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

He has since become a key contributor for the Lakers, particularly during the 2026 postseason. He averaged nearly 18 points and four rebounds while shooting 55% from the field and an impressive 57% from 3-point range in the Lakers' series victory over the Houston Rockets.