Rui Is Now A Laker. Here’s What He Can Do For L.A.
How is Rui Hachimura going to help the L.A. Lakers?
When Rui Hachimura was drafted by the Washington Wizards back in 2019 with the ninth overall pick, he was expected to be part of their future.
But then the team had an opportunity to swap an expensive, aging Russell Westbrook for some talented young players (Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) in 2021, and Hachimura’s destiny changed.
The Wizards also acquired Kristaps Porzingis later in that season, which further stressed the minutes’ jam in the frontcourt.
Thus, Hachimura’s minutes and usage rates decreased.
He went from being a starter averaging over 30 minutes a game to a bench player averaging roughly 20 to 25 minutes per game.
And this, I’m guessing, did not please him.
In 2023, after a fantastic performance against the Orlando Magic, he was asked how he felt about trade rumours surrounding his name.
He said he just wants to be on a team that appreciates him as a basketball player.
Via The Associated Press:
“I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player, and I want to be somewhere that likes my game.
“I know what I can do, and I can help the team to win,” Hachimura said after the game. “It’s either here or other team. I can help teams.”
However, like a Samurai, he found stillness and has blocked out the unnecessary noise, and continued to play to the best of his abilities.
“I’ve just got to keep focus on the moment right now,” Hachimura said. “I know all the stuff going on right now. I’ve just got to play the games and just to be myself.”
After having to fight this obstacle for the past couple of years, he is finally getting his wish to play for a team that “likes” his game.
On Monday, Jan 23, it was reported that Hachimura will be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The trade will see the Wizards exchange Rui for Kendrick Nunn and 3 second-round picks.
Now, some of you may be wondering how this trade will help the Lakers.
Well, The Black Samurai can do a lot for them.
As I said earlier, he is a big, skilled offensive wing.
He is a consistent 3-level scorer that can take some of the scoring duties off of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Additionally, he can shoot threes, something that the Lakers desperately need more of.
Hachimura is also a good rebounder who is willing to fight for boards.
In 30 games this season, he’s averaging 13 points on 49 percent shooting and 4.3 rebounds off the bench. He’s also making one three-pointer a game and is averaging 34 percent from beyond the arc.
However, his biggest flaw is his defending the ball -something that the Lakers preach.
But he is a better defender than Nunn and I think the Lakers coaching staff can improve his IQ on that end of the floor.
All in all, I think this is a good trade for the Lakers, who have been rolling as of late.
But what do you think about this trade? Is it good for the Lakers or nah?