3 Essential areas of improvement for Lakers forward Rui Hachimura

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura has spent his two seasons with the team in a state of perpetual limbo. A consistent role within the rotation has been all but impossible to attain, no matter how well he and the team have played when minutes have been made available to him.

Whether fair or foul, as the 2024-25 NBA regular season nears, Hachimura will be tasked with overcoming the hurdles placed in front of him and taking a significant step toward improvement.

Hachimura is coming off of a productive season in which he averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 three-point field goals made on .537/.422/.739 shooting. He did so in just 26.9 minutes per game, which offers the first form of intrigue.

Hachimura's season averages translated to 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 offensive boards, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

If that sounds unsustainable, then think twice about that assumption. Hachimura saw at least 30 minutes of playing time in 24 games last season, and averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 1.5 assists, and 1.9 three-point field goals made during those outings.

The question: Aside from receiving consistent playing time, what must Hachimura do to make the 2024-25 season the best of his career thus far?

3. Creating for others

There's no way around how effective Hachimura is at scoring with efficiency. He's not only productive at 18.2 points per 36 minutes, but his 53.7 percent shooting from the field and 42.2 percent mark from beyond the arc imply that there's a special level of ability to develop.

If Hachimura is going to take the next step in his development, however, he'll need to turn increased defensive attention into opportunities for his teammates to score off of him.

Hachimura can knock down open shots and attack in a straight line, using his strength and leaping ability to finish in the paint. With that skill established, he must be able to determine when the right time is to score and when an opportunity to facilitate may present itself.

If Hachimura is able to take a step forward as playmaker, then his quality as a scorer will be accentuated and playing time will be all but guaranteed.

2. Complementing efficiency with volume

When Hachimura has a chance to shoot, he typically converts the attempt. For as impressive as his field goal and three-point field goal percentages are, however, one can't help but feel as though something is being left on the table.

If Hachimura takes a more aggressive approach to scoring next season, he could take a significant amount of pressure off of 39-year-old LeBron James in a physically demanding area.

Coaching plays a factor, but Hachimura's averages of 13.3 field goal attempts and 4.6 three-point field goal attempts per 36 minutes feel low given his efficiency. If his shot is falling like it was last season, then he should be empowered to attack the basket and shoot the three-ball with far more of a green light.

If Hachimura can complement that increase in volume with improved free throw shooting, he'd become the complete package as a scorer that he's flashed the ability to become.

1. Defensive consistency

The single most important area of improvement for Hachimura will be on the defensive end of the floor. With Jarred Vanderbilt ideally healthy in 2024-25, the Lakers' decision on who to start alongside James at forward could ultimately come down to defense.

Asking Hachimura to become the same caliber of defender as Vanderbilt in just one offseason would be unrealistic, but a significant step forward would be a fair request.

Los Angeles has four high-level offensive players in its projected starting lineup with D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, James, and Anthony Davis. Hachimura's shooting gives him an edge over Vanderbilt, but taking a noticeable step forward on defense would put distance between them.

If Hachimura is able to become the high-quality defender Los Angeles needs, then he could guarantee himself a spot in the starting lineup and produce his best season to date.