# Is "Playoff Rui" Changing How the Lakers Have to Approach Free Agency?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397/is-playoff-rui-changing-how-the-lakers-have-to-approach-free-agency
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397/is-playoff-rui-changing-how-the-lakers-have-to-approach-free-agency.md
Podcast: [Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397)
Published: 2026-05-08T21:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-lakers/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/eb23db/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/c593713c-dc78-452c-bfcd-8dced052a6fd/episodes/5fa78da6-67ac-496f-b72a-1a3e73981e6d/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=c593713c-dc78-452c-bfcd-8dced052a6fd&awEpisodeId=5fa78da6-67ac-496f-b72a-1a3e73981e6d&feed=x50dM5D_
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397/episodes/is-playoff-rui-changing-how-the-lakers-have-to-approach-free-agency
Duration seconds: 1277

## Resource

When analysts note the big plans for LA's upcoming offseason, it's often in the context of opening up large amounts of cap space for Rob Pelinka and Co. to fill with a host of players that complement Luka Dončić. When people talk about maximizing the amount of money available, it means chucking virtually everything that can be tossed overboard. That's all the expiring contracts, and maybe some dead weight on the roster. Of course, every player that they cut ties with must be replaced in one way or another. The problem becomes figuring out whether the players available are better than the guys in house. Not so tough with stars, but role players? That's tricky. Take Rui Hachimura. For the last three seasons, he's been solidly above 40 percent from 3-point range. In the playoffs, he consistently elevates his shooting, to the point he's got the best 3-point percentage in NBA postseason history. Rui also has a nifty, and useful, midrange game, and some athleticism that has benefitted LA. Of course, Rui also is a lousy rebounder, and dishes about eight assists a year. His defense is improving, but will never be confused for some DPOY candidate out there. He makes about $19 million, and is probably in line to make somewhere between $15-20 a year going forward. Is he worth keeping? Would the Lakers do better on the market? Could they replace Rui's shooting with a player that fits a little better with the roster they envision building around Luka? Tough questions, for sure. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: htt…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397/episodes/is-playoff-rui-changing-how-the-lakers-have-to-approach-free-agency/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-lakers-daily-podcast-on-the-los-angeles-lakers-174397/is-playoff-rui-changing-how-the-lakers-have-to-approach-free-agency.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.