With the forward market thinning, the San Antonio Spurs must be aggressive to land Rui Hachimura in free agency. Here's why the fit makes sense.
The San Antonio Spurs started free agency with a clear goal of adding wing talent around Victor Wembanyama, and options are dwindling quickly. As it stands, Rui Hachimura is a clear standout option left on the board, and San Antonio may need to be more aggressive to land him.
Hachimura, 28, remains available in unrestricted free agency after playing out a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. After a slew of acquisitions, including Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton, Los Angeles has already loaded up on talent. The Lakers' Hachimura's Bird rights are held, but he is more likely than not to depart.
Hachimura shot 56.9% beyond the arc in the playoffs, with the league's highest career postseason three-point percentage. He averaged 11.5 points at 51.4% shooting and 44.3% from deep in the regular season. This would improve a clear weakness for San Antonio, which ranked 14th in three-point attempts (37.9) and 15th in accuracy (35.9%) last season, but still finished 3rd in offensive rating.
Some of the initial frontcourt options are already off the board early in free agency, including Dean Wade, John Collins, and Mamukelashvili. Hachimura and Tobias Harris are atop a short list of forwards linked to the Spurs who have yet to sign with a team.
The Brooklyn Nets are among the teams believed to have interest in Hachimura, but they already have Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle as focal points. The wing market runs deeper still, with the Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers also looking for help. Kelly Oubre Jr. is expected to head to Indiana, leaving Portland as another team to watch. Additionally, other developments in the NBA could create different teams that need to add a wing.
Currently, San Antonio is using a calculated approach to handing out contract offers. Harrison Barnes re-signed with the Spurs to a one-year, $8 million deal, along with re-signing Julian Champagnie to a three-year, $45 million contract, and drafted Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr.
The Spurs also want flexibility ahead of the extensions they will owe players like Stephon Castle in the coming years, which has pushed them toward short-term contract offers. A free agent seeking a longer deal could limit San Antonio's outlook.
The Spurs have access to a near-$15 million mid-level exception. With the market thinning and suitors circling, San Antonio cannot wait.
