The Los Angeles Clippers have signed free‑agent forward Rui Hachimura to a two‑year, $28 million deal, keeping him in Los Angeles after talks with the Lakers stalled. Hachimura rejected offers from the Warriors, Timberwolves, Nets and Spurs, citing his desire to stay in the city. He and agent Darren Matsubara reached the agreement early in free agency, waiting for the Lakers' offseason moves before finalizing.

In the regular season Hachimura posted 11.5 points per game while shooting 51.4% overall and 44.3% from three‑point range. His postseason performance surged to 17.5 points per game on 54.9% shooting and a league‑best 56.9% from beyond the arc among players with at least five attempts per game. The uptick positions him as a reliable scorer for a Clippers squad eyeing a deeper playoff run.

The contract also frees cap space for the Clippers to chase restricted free‑agent wing Peyton Watson, whose development could complement Hachimura’s inside‑out game. Retaining Hachimura bolsters the team’s front‑court depth and signals a commitment to building a core around versatile scorers for the remainder of the season.