Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has committed to at least three more seasons with the franchise. His current contract runs through the 2025-26 season, and the player option on the extension he signed will come up in 2028.
With a finite period of time to prove to Doncic that he can achieve his championship dreams in Los Angeles, one player is officially on the hot seat: Rui Hachimura.
Doncic's decision to sign an extension with the Lakers could've created a perhaps rational thought that patience would be a factor at play. With several key contracts set to expire in 2026, however, Doncic is determined to see Los Angeles capitalize on the opportunity to contend—immediately.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Doncic informed the Lakers that his goal is to return to the NBA Finals after leading the Mavericks to the championship round in 2024.
"I don't want to wait," Doncic told the table, a source familiar with the conversation told ESPN. "I had a taste of the Finals. I am getting back there. So, let's do whatever we can now."
Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent all have eight-figure annual salaries that are due to expire in 2026, leaving all three on the hot seat—particularly the starting forward.
Rui Hachimura is officially on the hot seat as Luka Doncic aims to contend
Los Angeles acquired Hachimura in 2023 and has slotted the former Gonzaga star into a prominent role ever since. He started all but two games for the team in 2024-25, as well as 39 of his 68 appearances with the team in 2023-24.
Hachimura has also started each of the Lakers' past 11 playoff games—during which time the team has unfortunately gone just 2-9.
It'd be irrational to blame Hachimura for the team's lack of success, as his role is not exactly that of a featured star. Furthermore, he's coming off of a strong postseason during which he averaged 14.8 points and 2.6 three-point field goals made per game on .491/.484/1.000 shooting in 2025.
If Hachimura fails to solidify his place as the 3-and-D forward that the Lakers need him to be, however, it's fair to question if they can justify re-signing him next summer.
Hachimura is entering the final season of his current contract. He's set to make an expiring $18,259,259 and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. As such, Los Angeles has been presented with a massive question: Is it better to trade or attempt to re-sign Hachimura?
Hachimura has a contract that would be easy to trade, talent that could create competition in free agency, and a key role that he'll need to prove he can adequately play.
If Hachimura shows out and proves himself invaluable, the Lakers will be justified in keeping him on the roster through the 2026 NBA Playoffs. If questions persist into early February about how close he can help Los Angeles get to contending, however, a trade could be just over the horizon.
Hachimura is an undoubtedly solid player, but an expiring contract and an immediate desire to contend have put him squarely on the hot seat.