Rui Hachimura wanted to stay with the Lakers in free agency this summer, but they told him they didn’t want to re-sign him, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Instead, the Japanese forward signed a two-year, $28MM deal with the crosstown rival Clippers.

Still, Hachimura has nothing but good things to say about the Lakers and is looking forward to facing them on Friday and again next Wednesday.

“It was a great three, four seasons with the Lakers,” Hachimura said. “I had a great time. They took really good care of me. I appreciate the organization (but) it was time to move on.

“I’m happy that I’m here, with the Clippers, one of the best organizations and to have this arena, the coaching staff, trainers, everybody. So, I’m happy that I’m here, it’s just a different team.”

Here’s more from the Pacific:

• It was a successful — and victorious — regular season debut for No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, Carr writes in the same piece. The rookie Clippers guard had 15 points, five rebounds five assists (against one turnover) and two steals in 29 minutes during Los Angeles’ win over Sacramento. Wagler, 19, said he wasn’t nervous ahead of the game. “It’s always good to start it off with a dub and play well,” he said. “Just got to continue to build on that and get better each day.”
• After missing the entire preseason and Wednesday’s season opener with a right soleus (calf) strain, free agent addition Collin Sexton will make his Lakers debut on Friday against the Clips, tweets Jovan Buha. Sexton isn’t on Friday’s injury report, but Jake LaRavia is questionable with a left ankle sprain and Cameron Carr (right oblique strain) and Adou Thiero (left knee effusion) remain sidelined.
• Another veteran guard who was sidelined during the preseason and on Wednesday — Malik Monk of the Kings — is probable to suit up for Friday’s home opener against Portland, per Sean Cunningham of KCRA News (Twitter link). Monk, who’s making $20.2MM this season and holds a $21.6MM option for next season, has been battling left ankle soreness this fall.