Rui Hachimura has developed into one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the NBA. As the Los Angeles Lakers are quite aware of, however, Hachimura's efficiency was rarely met with the type of volume that his skill set seemed to be capable of producing.
By prioritizing and signing Sandro Mamukelashvili, the Lakers have found the upgrade they needed on the offensive end of the floor, as he bridges the gap by combining volume with efficiency.
Over the past two seasons, Hachimura compiled averages of 12.2 points, 9.2 field goal attempts, and 4.0 three-point field goal attempts per game. Those numbers translated to 14.7 points, 11.1 field goal attempts, and 4.8 three-point field goal attempts per 36 minutes.
Mamukelashvili, meanwhile, produced averages of 18.9 points, 13.5 field goal attempts, and 6.8 three-point field goal attempts per 36 minutes during that same time.
Clearly, Hachimura and Mamukelashvili are in no way carbon copies of one another. As such, the notion that Mamukelashvili is an outright replacement is flawed, at best, as he lacks the defensive versatility and athleticism that Hachimura provided.
That's a fair tradeoff when one considers how desperately the Lakers needed to add scorers and shooters who could provide a more pronounced output on offense.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is the assertive scorer Lakers needed Rui to be
This past season, the Lakers ranked dead last in catch-and-shoot three-point field goals made and No. 23 in total three-point field goals made. Mamukelashvili should help the team improve in both areas as not only an efficient shooter, but one who seeks out opportunities.
Beyond any statistics, Mamukelashvili plays a style that sees him insert himself in plays rather than waiting for shots to come his way.
Mamukelashvili makes sure to not only make himself available for passes, but find openings in the defense. That's translated to his success as a finisher around the rim, as well as his impressive volume as a shooter who can catch fire and remain assertive.
That resulted in Mamukelashvili averaging 14.4 points per game when he played at least 20 minute compared to Hachimura at 12.4—a fact that includes the context of Hachimura playing at least 30 minutes in 16 more games than Mamukelashvili.
It's entirely fair to believe that Hachimura will be missed due to his efficiency, athleticism, defensive versatility, and postseason heroics. The Lakers needed to find a shooter who could seek out their own offense, however, and they now have that with Mamukelashvili.
There are other questions that Mamukelashvili will need to answer, but in regard to his scoring arsenal, he's the upgrade Los Angeles needed from Hachimura.
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