Evaluating Rui Hachimura’s Role with the Lakers
Until the Lakers find their two-way wing, Rui Hachimura will have further to cement himself as a vital piece in their rotation.
Rui Hachimura is an interesting player to evaluate when looking at the Lakers roster. He will be entering his fourth season with the Lakers since being traded from the Washington Wizards during the 2022-2023 season. The 26-year-old has proved to be a key piece in the Lakers” rotation over the years, solidifying himself as a starter for the last year and a half.
In his Lakers career (160 games) he’s averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while also being incredibly efficient with his shot making. Last season, he shot 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from three. The season before that, he averaged an impressive 53.7% from the field and 42.2% from three.
Rui’s Role
When Hachimura is utilized as a cutter and a spot-up shooter, he’s at his best. He can also bring out the occasional dribble pull-up from his arsenal, as well as a lethal midrange jumper. Defenses will have their hands full on a nightly basis trying to deal with Doncic, James, and Reaves. That leaves Rui as the 4th offensive weapon capable of dropping 15 to 20 points any given night, not to mention the impact DeAndre Ayton will also have on that end of the floor.
On the defensive side of the ball, some questions arise. Hachimura had a defensive rating of 116.7 last season, with the league average being around 110.6. While he does play the SF position at times, he is not typically relied upon to lock up the perimeter. Rui does, however, excel at guarding in the post against bigger players when he’s tasked with playing PF or even C when the Lakers go to their small-ball lineups.
Rui’s Future with L.A.
Hachimura’s name has floated around trade rumors for quite some time now—the latest being in talks for Miami’s Andrew Wiggins.
Rui will be entering the last year of his deal at roughly $18 million, with no talks as of now about a potential extension.
While he’s not the two-way player the Lakers need, Hachimura, in the right role, can still be utilized as a reliable and efficient offensive threat behind L.A.’s stars.
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Categorized:Lakers