Did The Wizards Make A Mistake Trading Rui Hachimura?

Was Trading Rui Hachimura The Right Move?

With this rebuild that the Washington Wizards are on, it would be irresponsible if we didn’t think of what could have been. It would be irresponsible if we didn’t take a trip down memory lane and think of former Wizard Forward Rui Hachimura. Often times, we all make decisions and they feel like the right move at the time. However, once time passes and we get a better picture of everything, we soon realize that we made a mistake.

Rui Hachimura, 6’8 and only 25 years of age had quite the run with the Los Angelas Lakers last season. As a matter of fact, he was instrumental and was a huge reason for some victories the Lakers had last season including even in the playoffs. It is even expected that Rui Hachimura may start some this season for the Lakers. Now that the rebuild is here, it’s hard not to imagine how would things look if Rui Hachimura was still with the Washington Wizards. Did the Wizards make a mistake in trading Rui Hachimura?

Finalized deal: Rui Hachimura for Kendrick Nunn, 2023 second via Chicago, 2029 LA second and and less favorable of 2028 Washington/LA seconds, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023

At the time, it felt like the right decision. The Wizards desperately needed help at point guard. In exchange for Rui, they acquired Kendrick Nunn. Where is Kendrick Nunn now? He is currently a free agent. That means the Wizards basically traded Rui for nothing! So yes, the Wizards did make a huge mistake in trading Rui Hachimura!

Rui Hachimura (9 PTS) & D'Angelo Russell (8 PTS) were cooking in the 1Q on NBA TV 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0y7bGUumDN

— NBA (@NBA) October 12, 2023

The return of Kendick Nunn ended up being a rental. He didn’t even help solve the problems they had at the point guard position. Additionally, Rui Hachimura is a versatile player who you can really plug and play at multiple positions. He easily slips in and plays positions three, four, and five. This Wizards team is young, explosive, and a team that is looking to get up and down the court quickly. Rui runs the break well for a guy of his size at the young age of just 25. The Wizards may be enjoying life at this moment as they have begun their rebuild and are undefeated in the preseason. However, they will regret trading Rui Hachimura.