How Much Money Could Rui Hachimura Cost in Free Agency? Will the Lakers Match? Plus, VanVleet???

One of the big tricks in forecasting free agency is trying to figure out how much value a player has to a large number of teams around the league. Certain players - your stars, or near-stars - generally fit anywhere and will perform as advertised. Others are clearly more dependent on context. Like Rui Hachimura. His statistics, particularly in the regular season, weren't much different than the numbers he posted in Washington, his impact with LA, and the niche he filled around LeBron and Anthony Davis, was important. He gave them another large body defensively, a guy who could create his own shot off the dribble in the mid-range, and - at least in the playoffs - step out and hit a 3-pointer. So while Hachimura may not be a great fit or merit a huge payday with every team, with the Lakers he is a key piece. Particularly when you consider who else the Lakers might find to replace him, should Hachimura land in another city next year. While LA can match any offer he receives, they won't have that flexibility to offer a potential replacement. It's a double whammy - perhaps they'd be forced to use their larger exception to sign a good player, meaning that same exception couldn't be used for adding talent to last year's team. The same principle applies to D'Angelo Russell, as well. His name was again in the news, as Toronto guard Fred VanVleet announced he'd be opting out of his deal with the Raptors, making him a free agent. Would a sign-and-trade to Toronto make any sense? Well, maybe more than one with Dallas... but not a ton. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: How much is Rui Hachimura worth on the open market? SEGMENT 2: Is there a limit to what the Lakers might pay? Breaking down potential replacements, should they let him go. SEGMENT 3: Does VanVleet opting out change the trade market for Russell? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON BetterHelp This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get 10% off your first month.  FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices