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Rui Hachimura Encourages Lakers Fans to Support Clippers with Jersey Exchange

Rui Hachimura has officially moved on from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he is inviting his former supporters to follow him. On his verified Instagram account @blacksamurai, a video was shared showing Hachimura giving a Clippers jersey to a fan who was initially wearing his No. 28 Lakers jersey.

He told the fan, "This one looks way cooler," as he encouraged him to swap the Lakers jersey for the new Los Angeles Clippers gear. "Everyone, please go buy the Clippers jersey," Hachimura urged.

New Chapter With the Clippers

In July, Hachimura signed a two-year contract worth $28 million with the Clippers. Before that, he played four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 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.

Challenges Await the Clippers

Hachimura joins the Clippers during a difficult period. The team lost five first-round draft picks, faced a $30 million fine, and both owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank are dealing with suspensions. This comes amid a franchise history that has long lived in the shadow of their crosstown rivals, the Lakers.

The 2026-27 season will be crucial for the Clippers as they seek to regain fan trust following a major scandal this summer.

Team Apologizes and Aims to Rebuild Trust

At Clippers media day, interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden apologized on behalf of the organization.

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

He added, "This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall. We hope to represent our fans the same way we always have in dark times, by coming out fighting."

Building a New Fanbase

While the Clippers work to hold onto their existing fans, it seems that Rui Hachimura wants to bring some Lakers fans into the fold ahead of his first season with the team.

  • Player: Rui Hachimura
  • Former Team: Los Angeles Lakers
  • Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers
  • Contract: Two years, $28 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 51.4% FG, 44.3% 3PT
  • Clippers Penalties: Five first-round draft picks lost, $30 million fine, suspensions for owner and president
  • Interim President: Trent Redden

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