As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers’ plans are becoming obvious.
Guards D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves have been mentioned in trade rumors, although the Lakers have not considered trading the latter at this time. Behind them has been Rui Hachimura, whom the Lakers acquired prior to the trade deadline last season.
“The Lakers want to keep Reaves and Hachimura,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus said on January 16.
Pincus’ information comes as the Lakers are reportedly interested in trading for Atlanta Hawks standout Dejounte Murray.
Hachimura, 25, is averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc this season. This past offseason, he re-signed with the Lakers for three years and $51 million.
Hachimura, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, played his first four seasons with the Washington Wizards.
In January 2022, the Lakers acquired him in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and draft picks.
Hachimura helped spark their Western Conference Finals and formed a deep bond with Lakers star LeBron James this offseason, with the 21-year-old dubbing to his youthful teammate as his “understudy”.
Rui Hachimura Appreciation pic.twitter.com/6Fpu06fgoO
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 29, 2023
Rui Hachimura ‘Playing With Confidence’ Despite Trade Rumors Surrounding Lakers
Hachimura has had many injuries this season, including surgery for a fractured nose and, most recently, a calf strain that sidelined him for five games.
In two games since his comeback, he has averaged 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocked shots.
“He plays with confidence. “Rui was a big part for us last year,” Anthony Davis told reporters after the Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 15. “All we want is for him to get back to being himself. He occasionally goes out and overthinks a little bit. He wants to make the correct play.”
Just be yourself. Just don’t think about it and just play basketball, which he’s been doing the previous two games, shooting and attacking the basket.
Vando ➡️ Rui 🔨 pic.twitter.com/PnhTDW18CP
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 14, 2024
Rui Hachimura Calls Out Lakers’ Energy
“I just gotta bring the energy, especially in the first quarter,” Hachimura told reporters on January 14. “We need to bring enthusiasm to every team we play. They want to beat us. We are the Lakers. So they’ll come out with positive energy and all that, and we won’t lose because of it.
“We’re constantly trying to catch up in the second quarter. But it is already late. So, I believe, we just have to match their energy from the first quarter.
According to NBA.com, the Lakers are 19th in first-quarter scoring and allow the second-most points in the first frame.
This season, they have a plus-2.3 net efficiency difference with Hachimura on the floor, placing them in the 63rd percentile, according to Cleaning the Glass. Without him, their rating slips to minus-1.9 (39th percentile) for the season.
Injuries have only exacerbated matters, with Davis and Head Coach Darvin Ham noting their influence throughout the season.
They were missing Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent against the Thunder.
With continued improved health and a dedication to their current starting lineup, the Lakers may be able to finish their season turnaround. Otherwise, their positions on Hachimura – and Reaves – may be tested.
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