Woike on LeBron James’s unknown future: #LakeShow“All indications are that James will be in training camp at the end of September and will play his 23rd NBA season with the Lakers. But I really don’t want to make any guesses, informed or not, about how James views his future,… pic.twitter.com/j6YtHRWN36— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) August 13, 2025
Woike on Rui Hachimura:“Another good season and you could argue that he should be with the Lakers for another multi-year stint, even if it eats into some of their future flexibility. But if the defensive gains weren’t real and the shooting suffers (it’s been two full seasons of… pic.twitter.com/AxBt5dHGRl— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) August 13, 2025
I would consider giving Rui an extension. Potential free agent targets have been signing extensions and there are not many unrestricted free agents better than Rui left that would make sense for the Lakers. Next summer the Lakers have potentially 3 firsts they could trade. But those firsts doesn’t do you much good with no salaries to attach. The worst case for the Lakers is if Rui continues to grow like he did last year and walks away for nothing.
I absolutely agree, and have felt he has been slighted since the 23/24 season…I think before that trade deadline all the trade proposals, even here, were all willing to unload Russell, Rui and Reaves as if they had no value…He has more value than being a salary dump or a throw in on a trade for a questionable contributor.