INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Los Angeles Clippers held their Media Day at Intuit Dome on Monday. Before a single player took the podium, head coach Tyronn Lue and interim president Trent Redden opened with a statement addressing the questions swirling around its historic punishment following an NBA investigation.
As the new faces stepped into the spotlight, the mood shifted from controversy back to basketball and the season ahead. No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, Brandon Ingram Jr., Gradey Dick, and Max Strus are among the new additions the Clippers are counting on to turn the page after finishing 42-40 and missing the playoffs last season.
They didn’t have to travel far for another new addition, picking up former Laker Rui Hachimura from less than 30 minutes across town. Hachimura represented Los Angeles in purple and gold from 2023 to 2026.
“It was a great 3 or 4 seasons with the Lakers,” said Hachimura. “I think I had a great time. They took really good care of me.” Now, the power forward is leaving that chapter behind and preparing to represent their cross-town rival in Inglewood. “It was time to move on,” Hachimura said.
During the regular season, he averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. Hachimura saved his best basketball for his final run as a Laker, going lights-out from deep and coming through in big moments. In 10 playoff games, he averaged 17.5 points and 4 rebounds before hitting free agency.
Hachimura’s 50.8% career shooting from three was the highest in NBA playoff history.
“I’m happy that I’m here with the Clippers. One of the best organizations to have this arena, the coaching staff, everybody,” said Hachimura. “ I’m happy that I’m here.”
Hachimura’s arrival also marks a milestone for Japanese basketball. He and Yuki Kawamura are the first Japanese teammates to play for the same NBA organization, and the influence was already clear on media day.
Dozens of Japanese reporters filled the press room, lining up to speak with both players in their native language. Before Hachimura and Kawamura brought a piece of Japan to the corner of Century and Prairie, Lue met them on their home court.
During the offseason, the Clippers head coach traveled to Japan to visit the duo and immerse himself in the culture that shaped two of his newest players.
“Just seeing, like, when he just stepped out, like all the people, how they just gravitated towards him, just you know being who he was, and having a chance to go to a practice and seeing how they prepared and how they played and how they did things differently, was huge for me,” Lue said.
Even as Hachimura starts fresh with the Clippers, one teammate takes him back to where it all began. He reunites with Bradley Beal, his former Washington Wizards teammate and veteran during his first NBA season.
“I played with him when I got to the league. That was my vet in D.C.” said Hachimura. “To get back with him is amazing. To play with him again, I’m excited for that.”
Still, Hachimura’s fresh start comes with a lot of work to do. Last season, the Clippers fought their way back from a 6-21 start to earn a Play-In spot, but their season ended with a 126-121 loss to Golden State. The Warriors made five more three-pointers than Los Angeles and set a Play-In Tournament record with 19. Hachimura plans to help close that gap with his shooting.
“With this team, I can be more physical and really bring that to the team, on the offense. Both ends. Defensively, offensively,” Hachimura said. “Plus, my shooting, you know that’s gonna help.”
Photo by Mark Hammond courtesy of the Compton Bulletin
Cover Art/Lead Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline
JohVonne Roberts is a specialized journalism graduate student at USC Annenberg. Roberts is a South Central native, interested in covering the intersection of sports, culture and community. She completed her undergraduate studies at San Diego State University and has covered teams such as the LA Sparks, LA Clippers and LA Chargers.
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