The Los Angeles Lakers were destroyed by the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, with all five starters sidelined. It was the second night of a back-to-back for the purple and gold. Luka Doncic is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the franchise saw no need to risk their best players with the All-Star break approaching. There was no LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, or Deandre Ayton, but Rui Hachimura played 27 minutes in the embarrassing performance.
The 6’8 forward is in the final year of his contract, and is clearly not a key piece of the team’s future. The Lakers rested their top five options on Tuesday night and clearly had zero chance of winning by the end of the first quarter. LA played the entire fourth quarter with their deep bench on the floor. This game was out of reach from the jump, but they still used Rui for the second most minutes.
Hachimura did nothing to change the Lakers' minds. He struggled to make shots, and the team’s defense was nonexistent against the Spurs. It was an absolute nightmare and showcased the franchise’s lack of depth. Los Angeles can’t be a serious contender until improvements are made, but fans got their answer on Hachimura’s future in this blowout.
Lakers clearly don’t view Rui Hachimura as a key piece moving forward
Hachimura was demoted to a reserve role earlier this season. The Lakers need someone capable of guarding at the point of attack, so it makes more sense to open games with Marcus Smart. Hachimura has continued to knock down shots and make an impact off the bench.
The fact that he was playing on Tuesday night tells fans all they need to know. If the Lakers saw him as a key long-term piece, he would have been rested against the Spurs. LA was not winning this game, and it was clear in the first 12 minutes.
Hachimura had six points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 27 minutes of action. He made just three of his 12 field goal attempts and missed all three of his threes. It was a forgettable night. The entire team was out or had a nightmare performance. This is one everyone just has to flush and move on.
The 28-year-old has embraced a supporting role with the Lakers. He has adapted to playing off superstars and getting fewer on-ball reps. Hachimura is still making an impact and will draw interest as an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Rui Hachimura is clearly not in the Lakers’ long-term plans. They want to start building around Luka Doncic this summer. Los Angeles will have cap space to add in free agency and three first-round draft picks to trade. The goal is to leap into title contention, and Hachimura’s warts clearly don’t fit what the purple and gold want. He didn’t get an extension and is now being used in games where the Lakers held out their entire starting five.
Things are clearly trending in the wrong direction for this partnership. Expect to see the Los Angeles Lakers move on from Rui Hachimura this offseason. They want 3-and-D wings around Luka Doncic, and Hachimura’s defense doesn’t make the cut. It is the little moments that fans can use as clues, but this sends a loud and clear message. Hachimura’s days in LA are numbered, and fans should come to grips with his departure now to lessen the summer pain.