Rui Hachimura Signs 2-Year Deal With LA Clippers, Leaving Lakers
Rui Hachimura agrees to a two-year deal with the LA Clippers, departing the Lakers. What this move means for DC's favorite adopted son and NBA's West.
In brief
Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. The former Washington Wizard — drafted 9th overall in 2019 and a beloved figure in the DC basketball community — now joins a Clippers squad hungry to re-establish itself as a Western Conference contender. For fans who watched Hachimura grow up at Capital One Arena in NoMa, this move lands with real emotional weight.
🏀 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Rui Hachimura signs a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, departing the Lakers.
Hachimura was drafted 9th overall in 2019 by the Washington Wizards, where he built his NBA foundation.
The deal adds a versatile, 6-foot-8 forward to a Clippers roster looking to reclaim Western Conference relevance.
DC basketball fans — who first claimed Hachimura as one of their own — watch a homegrown star find a new home across the country.
The move reshapes Los Angeles's NBA landscape heading into the 2026-27 season.
From Capital One Arena to the Clippers: Hachimura's DC Roots Run Deep
Before the trade to Los Angeles, before the Laker purple and gold, there was Washington. The Washington Wizards selected Rui Hachimura with the 9th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, making him the first Japanese player ever chosen in the lottery. For four years, Hachimura suited up in the District — a fact that still matters to the city's basketball faithful who fill Capital One Arena off M Street NE on game nights.
In his time with the Wizards, Hachimura averaged 13.0 points per game, flashing the mid-range pull-up and physical forward play that made him a fan favorite alongside Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. When the Wizards traded him to the Lakers in January 2023, DC fans felt the sting — but also the pride of watching one of their own thrive on the biggest stages.
Now, with Hachimura signing a two-year deal with the Clippers, confirmed by NBA.com, his journey takes another turn west — this time, just across town in Los Angeles. For the DC sports community, this is a moment to track closely. Hachimura isn't just a former Wizard; he's proof that the player development pipeline through Washington can produce elite NBA talent.
Follow WDCM's ongoing coverage of DC sports moves and power players at our DC Power Players Index.
Why the Clippers Wanted Hachimura — and What He Brings to LA
The Los Angeles Clippers are in a transitional moment. With Kawhi Leonard perpetually navigating injury concerns and James Harden's best days behind him, Clippers president Lawrence Frank has spent the offseason hunting for versatile, two-way forwards who can play multiple positions and handle playoff pressure. Hachimura checks those boxes.
At 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, Hachimura offers the Clippers a physical wing who can guard multiple positions, score in isolation, and operate effectively in pick-and-roll sets. His 2022-23 playoff run with the Lakers — where he averaged 14.3 points per game in the postseason — demonstrated his ability to elevate when the stakes rise. That's exactly the profile the Clippers need alongside Norman Powell and a young core trying to prove itself.
According to Basketball Reference, Hachimura shot 55.3% from the field during his 2022-23 postseason run with the Lakers — an elite efficiency number that catches front offices' attention during free agency negotiations.
For context on how this fits into LA's broader roster strategy, ESPN's Clippers coverage has tracked the franchise's offseason moves as they attempt to rebuild around Ivica Zubac's anchor presence in the paint.
Washington DC doesn't always get credit for the NBA talent it cultivates — but it should. The Wizards drafted Hachimura and gave him the foundation to become a rotation player on a championship-contending team. That lineage matters to a fanbase that has endured lean years since the Gilbert Arenas era and is now watching a rebuild unfold under head coach Brian Keefe and a front office betting on youth.
Hachimura's Clippers deal is a reminder of what DC basketball can produce when it drafts well. It also puts a spotlight on the Wizards' current rebuild — and whether the franchise can identify and develop the next international star the way it did with Hachimura back in 2019. With the 2026-27 NBA season approaching, Wizards fans at Capital One Arena deserve to see that kind of ambition again.
DC's sports culture is also shaped by its relationship with players who passed through the city. Hachimura still commands loyalty in the District — his jersey sold well at Team Locker Room on F Street during his Wizards tenure, and his international profile made him a cultural bridge between the DC Japanese-American community and the broader city. For more on how DC sports intersect with the city's identity, explore WDCM's DC Power Index.
The LA Ripple Effect: Lakers, Clippers, and a Reshuffled West
Hachimura's departure from the Los Angeles Lakers creates a roster hole that general manager Rob Pelinka will need to address heading into a critical season. The Lakers, rebuilding around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, lose a trusted rotation wing who provided defensive versatility and secondary scoring off the bench.
For the Clippers, the addition signals a genuine intent to compete. Head coach Tyronn Lue — a coach with championship DNA from his Cleveland days — now has a forward who can defend three positions and score efficiently in half-court sets. If the Clippers can stay healthy, a Hachimura-Powell wing combination could make them a dangerous second-round threat in the Western Conference playoffs.
The NBA's official news hub reported the agreement, with contract financial details pending league confirmation. Across the league, the move is being read as a sign that Hachimura sees his best basketball ahead of him — not behind.
Keep up with all NBA and DC sports power moves at WDCM's Power Moves section.
WDCM Original Analysis: The Quiet Draft Win That Keeps Paying Off
Here's a data point worth sitting with: Of the 9 players drafted in the 2019 NBA lottery, Hachimura ranks among the top five in career games played and postseason appearances. The Washington Wizards, often criticized for front office mismanagement during the early 2020s, quietly nailed this pick. Hachimura was not a safe, conservative selection — he was a developmental bet on an international player from Gonzaga with upside that scouts disagreed on. That bet paid off.
The lesson for the current Wizards front office under Will Dawkins? Swing on talent. Hachimura's Clippers contract — earned because of what he became after leaving DC — is the Wizards' draft legacy walking around in Clippers blue.
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FAQ: Rui Hachimura, the Clippers Deal, and What DC Fans Need to Know
Q: Why did Rui Hachimura leave the Lakers for the Clippers? A: Hachimura entered free agency after his contract with the Lakers expired and agreed to a two-year deal with the Clippers, likely attracted by a defined role and a roster fit that maximizes his skills as a versatile wing scorer.
Q: When was Rui Hachimura drafted by the Washington Wizards? A: The Wizards selected Hachimura 9th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, making him the first Japanese player ever chosen in the NBA lottery.
Q: How did Hachimura perform during his time with the Washington Wizards? A: Hachimura averaged 13.0 points per game across four seasons in Washington, establishing himself as a reliable scoring forward before being traded to the Lakers in January 2023.
Q: What does the Clippers signing mean for the 2026-27 NBA season? A: The Clippers gain a proven postseason performer and two-way wing, strengthening their rotation as they attempt to reclaim Western Conference relevance under head coach Tyronn Lue.
Q: Do Washington DC fans still follow Rui Hachimura? A: Absolutely. Hachimura remains a beloved figure in DC's basketball community. He was the city's first Japanese lottery pick, and his journey from Capital One Arena to championship runs in LA has been tracked closely by Wizards faithful.
Q: How does this affect the Los Angeles Lakers' roster? A: The Lakers lose a versatile wing scorer who provided defensive depth and playoff reliability. GM Rob Pelinka will need to find a replacement as the team continues to build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
What to Watch Next: Track whether the Clippers use Hachimura as a starter or high-impact reserve heading into training camp — that role definition will tell us everything about how Tyronn Lue plans to deploy him. Also watch the Wizards' next draft: if history is any guide, Washington hits big when it swings on international talent with upside. The bottom line is this — Rui Hachimura earned his next contract the hard way, through playoff performances and quiet consistency, and DC gets to claim the foundation of every minute he logs in a Clippers uniform.
Reporting drawn from: NBA.com. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
