One of the biggest reasons the Los Angeles Lakers dramatically turned their fortunes around midway through the 2022-23 season was Rui Hachimura.
They traded for him in late January, and he quickly provided quality depth and production at both forward spots. Prior to his arrival, they had no dependable forwards on the roster other than LeBron James.
Hachimura was up and down in the regular season, but he had a number of big playoff games and was a big factor in Los Angeles’ run to the Western Conference finals. He moved into the team’s starting lineup for its final postseason game versus the Denver Nuggets. After he agreed to stay on a new contract, the Lakers reportedly expect him to remain in the starting lineup.
Via The Athletic:
“After investing heavily in Hachimura this summer, the Lakers expect him to pick up where he left off in the postseason and remain a starter despite being a bench player during the regular season.”
Some may argue the Japan native would be better off as a sixth man, where he could run free offensively without having to defer to James. Either way, Hachimura will play a key role in whatever success the Lakers have this season.
