Rui Hachimura Swaps Lakers Loyalty for Clippers in Memorable Jersey Exchange

Rui Hachimura has turned the page from his time with the Lakers, and he seems eager for his fans to follow suit. On his Instagram @blacksamurai, a video surfaced showing Hachimura offering a Clippers jersey to a fan who was originally wearing his No. 28 Lakers jersey. The forward encouraged the fan to trade it for the new gear.

Hachimura commented on the switch, saying, "This one looks way cooler," referring to the Clippers jersey. He even urged everyone to grab one themselves.

Career Shift and Stats

In July, Hachimura inked a two-year contract worth $28 million with the Clippers. His stint with the Lakers spanned four seasons, where he averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. During the 2025-26 season, he shot an impressive 51.4% overall and 44.3% from beyond the arc.

Clippers Face Challenges Amid Changes

The move comes at a turbulent time for the Clippers. The team recently lost five first-round draft picks, paid a $30 million fine, and faces suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank. Historically overshadowed by the Lakers, the Clippers find themselves needing to rebuild trust with their fanbase.

At media day, interim president Trent Redden addressed the situation:

"Our fans deserve to hear from us before this, and for that we're sorry. We've been listening to the thoughts, concerns, and emotions of our fan base. They mean everything to us. We hope to fulfill our promises to them, build their trust, and move forward through this time."

He added that the franchise has often performed best when facing adversity and aims to represent its fans by fighting back during tough periods.

Building Bridges Between Fanbases

While the Clippers strive to keep their existing supporters, Hachimura seems intent on welcoming former Lakers fans into the fold as he prepares for his debut season with his new team.