The Los Angeles Clippers have signed power forward Rui Hachimura of Toyama, Japan on Monday according to the Associated Press . The terms of the deal are for two years and $28 million.
Hachimura is joining his third National Basketball Association franchise. He spent four seasons with the Washington Wizards from 2019 to 2023, and four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2023 to 2026.
In 2025-26, Hachimura averaged 11.5 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of .514, three point percentage of .443, and free throw percentage of .694. Hachimura’s most dramatic shot of the season came on December 4, 2025 in a 123-120 Lakers won over the Toronto Raptors. Hachimura recorded a buzzer beater from 24 feet with no time left on the clock. LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, had the lone assist.
Hachimura was ranked fifth on our list of NBA stars waiting to sign a contract. Ironically, James is ranked number one.
In NBA history, Hachimura is one of five Japanese born players to play in the National Basketball Association. With 1864 total points, he is the best Japanese basketball player of all-time. The other four NBA players from Japan are shooting guard Cam Thomas of Yokosuka (2021 to 2026 with the Brooklyn Nets and 2026 with the Milwaukee Bucks), small forward Yuta Watanabe of Yokohama (2018 to 2020 and 2024 with the Memphis Grizzlies, 2020 to 2022 with the Toronto Raptors, 2022 to 2023 with the Brooklyn Nets and 2023 to 2024 with the Phoenix Suns), point guard Yuta Tabuse of Yokohama (2004 to 2005 with the Phoenix Suns) and point guard Yuki Kawamura of Yanai (2024 to 2025 with the Memphis Grizzlies and 2025 to 2026 with the Chicago Bulls).
