It was only a matter of months ago that the Golden State Warriors were interested in Rui Hachimura as a free agent, but on Sunday they'll be going about trying to stop the veteran forward and the visiting L.A. Clippers.
The Warriors may have lost out to the Clippers when it came to Hachimura's services in free agency, but the contract of Kristaps Porzingis offers a path to the front office renewing interest once the 28-year-old becomes trade-eligible in December.
Kristaps Porzingis contract gives Warriors path to revisit Rui Hachimura interest
Golden State have already been exploring deals utilizing Porzingis' $20 million contract, with the former All-Star away from the team and possibly never playing professional basketball again as he continues to battle illness.
There remains a strong likelihood that the Warriors will be forced to wait on any trade though as other front offices evaluate their respective teams and individual players. Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State front office may also be more inclined to remain patient if the team can continue the current momentum that's emerged from a three-game winning-streak.
The Clippers are one of just many teams in an interesting spot, and who could well become sellers closer to the mid-season deadline. After a horror summer that saw them lose five future first-round picks as a result of the Kawhi Leonard investigation, the Clippers have fallen to a 1-4 record to open the season as they continue playing without former All-Star Brandon Ingram who they acquired from the Toronto Raptors in the Leonard trade.
Perhaps the Clippers try to replenish their draft capital by moving veteran players at the deadline or well beforehand, with someone like Hachimura presenting as a potential candidate given he has a $14 million team option for next season.
Warriors could keep their free agency flexibility with Rui Hachimura trade
Golden State are in this fascinating spot where they have Porzingis' contract they can trade in the coming months, yet they also project to have significant cap space to use in free agency next year.
Hachimura could present the best of both worlds -- an added piece to the Warriors' rotation to help them over the remainder of this season, while being a player they can choose to retain or not depending on how the free agency landscape takes shape.
Would Golden State consider moving Porzingis and another small salary for Hachimura and Brook Lopez? Or Hachimura and Derrick Jones Jr.? It wouldn't be a blockbuster move by any means, but it might still prove a worthwhile one and one that can't be ruled out given their recent interest in Hachimura.
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