Lakers acquire Hachimura in trade
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired 2019 lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards on Monday in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a package of second-round draft picks.
Hachimura, a Japanese power forward drafted No. 9 overall out of Gonzaga, has appeared in 30 games for the Wizards this season, all off the bench, averaging 13 points on 49% shooting.
At 22-25, the Lakers entered Monday in 12th place in the Western Conference, one game behind the Warriors, Jazz and Thunder; two games behind the Clippers for the No. 6 spot and four games back of the Pelicans for No. 4.
With LeBron James averaging nearly 30 points per game and a belief that Anthony Davis will be back from injury sooner than later, the Lakers hope they can make a move by adding Hachimura, who figures to provide wing defense and 3-point shooting ability.
The Wizards got secondround picks this year, 2028 and 2029, plus a trade exception. Nunn (6.7 points in 39 games) is in his fourth NBA season, his second with the Lakers, though he missed all of last season with a knee problem.
• In Monday's highlights, Paolo Banchero scored 23 points and Wendell Carter Jr. had 21 points and 11 rebounds as the host Orlando Magic broke the Boston Celtics' nine-game winning streak, 113-98 . ... Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter, returning to the lineup after a five-game absence (sore right knee) and the Milwaukee Bucks prevailed 150-130 at Detroit . ... DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points in his 1,000th career game and the host Chicago Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks 111-100.
Owner Moreno takes Angels off market
Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno has decided not to sell the team. Moreno announced his plan to explore a sale of the team in August and met with prospective buyers during the winter.
“During this process, it became clear that we have unfinished business and feel we can make a positive impact on the future of the team and the fan experience," Moreno said in a statement. “This offseason, we committed to a franchise record player payroll, and still want to accomplish our goal of bringing a World Series championship back to our fans.”
Moreno, 76, is an outdoor advertising mogul from Arizona who bought the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in 2003, shortly after the franchise won its only World Series championship.
The Angels' fortunes under Moreno have flagged mightily since an appearance in the ALCS in 2009. The Halos have not won a playoff game in the past 13 years, making just one postseason appearance (2014).
• The Minnesota Twins acquired Michael A. Taylor from the Kansas City Royals, adding depth and defense to their outfield in exchange for two reliefpitching prospects. Taylor, 31, batted .254 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 414 at-bats last season for the Royals, his second year with the club after spending his first seven majorleague seasons with the Washington Nationals.
The Twins sent right-hander Steven Cruz, 23, and left-hander Evan Sisk, 25, to the Royals.
NHL: In Monday's highlights, Mika Zibanejad scored twice and Igor Shesterkin stopped 33 shots as the host New York Rangers, 15-4-2 since Dec. 5, beat the Florida Panthers 6-2. ... William Nylander had two goals and two assists as the host Toronto Maple Leafs beat the slumping New York Islanders 5-2.