Wizards' Rui Hachimura dances around whether he wants trade

Rui Hachimura had one of his best games of the season in theWashington Wizards' win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The24-year-old finished with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks whileshooting an efficient 59.1% from the field and 60.0% fromthree.

However, it was Hachimura's postgame press conference thatturned heads last night.

Several days after The Athletic's Josh Robbins reported that the Wizards havetalked with multiple teams about a potential Hachimura trade, thefourth-year forward was asked about his uncertain future inWashington.

When asked whether he wants to be traded, Hachimura smiled,raised his eyebrows and said, "I don't know."

Does he think he'll get traded? "I guess," Hachimura responded."I mean, I don't know."

Finally, when asked if he requested a trade, Hachimura smiledand said, "No comment."

“I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketballplayer," Hachimura added. "I want to be somewherethat likes my game. I just got to play my game. I know what I cando and I can help the team to wins. It's either here or otherteams.”

Rui Hachimura on if he wants a trade:[Raises eyebrows], “I don’t know,” [laughs].On if he thinks he will be traded: “I guess, I mean I don’tknow.”On if he asked for a trade: “No comment [smiles].” pic.twitter.com/q8PDffLcrv

Hachimura is certainly a name to watch as the Feb. 9 tradedeadline approaches.

The Wizards have also reportedly had trade conversationscentered around Kyle Kuzma (and our Nekias Duncan recently broke down some possibledestinations for him).

This season, Hachimura is averaging 12.4 points, 4.2 reboundsand 1.2 assists in 24.3 minutes per game, while shooting 48.8% fromthe field, 33.7% from three and 75.9% from the free-throw line. Heis set to hit restricted free agency this offseason.

The Wizards are currently 20-26, which is the 11th-best recordin the Eastern Conference. Washington has the NBA's 16th-rankeddefense (allowing 111.3 points per 100 possessions) and 21st-rankedoffense (scoring 110.7 points per 100 possessions).