Rui Hachimura is keeping it real about the Los Angeles Lakers’ motivation for defending their NBA Cup title – it’s all about the money! In a recent interview, Hachimura bluntly stated, “We just want the money” ¹. And who can blame him? The winning team’s players each received a whopping $500,000 last season, and that amount has increased to $514,970 for the 20242025 season.
The Lakers are set to begin their NBA Cup group play against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, and Hachimura’s comments reflect the team’s focus on securing that lucrative prize. With seven of the Lakers’ 15 active players earning less than $4 million this season, including first-round pick Dalton Knecht and second-round pick Bronny James, that extra cash would be a significant boost
Hachimura’s teammate, Austin Reaves, echoed his sentiments, saying, “I mean, $500,000 is $500,000” . The Lakers’ drive to win the NBA Cup is not just about pride or prestige; it’s about the tangible reward that comes with it.
As the Lakers prepare to face the Spurs, they’ll be looking to build on their momentum from their recent 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, where Hachimura contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists ². With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Hachimura leading the charge, the Lakers are poised to make a strong run in the NBA Cup.
Will the Lakers be able to defend their title and take home the cash? We’ll have to wait and see, but one thing’s for sure – they’re motivated and ready to give it their all.
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