Lakers Community Upset as Rob Pelinka’s Repeated Pursuit of $23M Star Threatens Rui Hachimura’s Future

The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a team with championship aspirations, but with that ambition comes the constant balancing act of roster moves and trade talks. Recent reports have sparked fresh speculation regarding potential changes to the team’s lineup. Some sources have revealed that the Lakers have once again engaged in trade discussions. While this trade might seem like a strategic move, it’s already stirring up a lot of buzz, and not all of it is positive.

According to a tweet from Cris Davis, the Toronto Raptors and the Lakers are in discussions about a potential trade that would send Bruce Brown to L.A. In return, the Lakers would send Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and multiple 2025 second-round picks to Toronto. This trade is reportedly aimed at shedding salary while adding Brown’s championship experience to boost the Lakers’ short-term title hopes.

“Sources: The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers have engaged in trade discussions centered around a potential deal sending Bruce Brown to L.A. in exchange for Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and multiple 2025 second-round picks. The Lakers are looking to shed salary, while adding Brown’s championship experience for a boost in the short term.”

Sources: The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers have engaged in trade discussions centered around a potential deal sending Bruce Brown to L.A. in exchange for Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and multiple 2025 second-round picks. The Lakers are looking to shed salary, while… pic.twitter.com/JUPsNLyTRz

— Cris Davis (@CrisDavisReport) January 9, 2025

This news has struck a nerve with the Lakers’ community, many of whom view Hachimura as an integral part of the team’s present and future. Given his contributions and potential, the idea of trading him for Brown has sparked significant backlash among the Lakers community, with fans voicing their opinions online.

What does this mean for the Los Angeles Lakers? Fan reactions pour in.

As expected, fans are not taking this news quietly. One fan tweeted, “Folks help me out is this legit?” clearly expressing skepticism about the legitimacy and long-term impact of the trade. It’s clear that many are not convinced that moving Hachimura is the right call.

Another fan didn’t hold back, saying, “Shed salary? Get rid of that big old burden who takes up the most cap space… he’s bad for morale, he’s bad for winning, he’s only good for his own stats. Please stop getting rid of our youth that we are building.” The Lakers are in a bit of a tight spot. They’re looking to shed salary and bring in players who can make an immediate impact. It’s hard to say the idea of sacrificing the future for a quick fix would work for them.

There’s also a lot of concern about the Lakers potentially getting smaller. “I hope to god this doesn’t happen. We would be getting smaller,” another fan commented. This is a valid reason to worry, especially when you look at the Lakers’ already thin frontcourt. Trading away Hachimura could leave them even more vulnerable in that department.

And while Bruce Brown’s championship experience is a selling point for some, others aren’t so sure he’s worth the trade. One fan pointed out, “Brown championship experience, he was in The Finals once, coming off the bench. And then pretty much disappeared.” Bruce Brown, with his championship pedigree, is clearly someone the team has eyes on. Brown may have been a role player in the Finals, but will that translate to a major impact in L.A.?

Finally, one fan simply said, “Terrible for Lakers. Rui worth more than that.” It’s a sentiment that many fans seem to agree with, questioning whether trading away a valuable player like Hachimura for someone who may not even be a clear upgrade is really the best move. From a financial standpoint, this might make sense for the Lakers, especially with Brown’s expiring contract. But it’s also important to consider what they’d be losing. Hachimura’s potential is still growing, and it’s hard to overlook the fact that his role on the team could evolve into something much bigger in the future. Brown, on the other hand, while talented, might not be the long-term solution the Lakers need.

This isn’t the first time Lakers fans have voiced their displeasure over trade rumors involving fan-favorite players. In the past, the Lakers community has been known to be passionate about their team’s roster, and proposals to trade key contributors often spark backlash. Rob Pelinka’s aggressive approach to roster management has occasionally paid off, but this time it is drawing criticism.

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