The Los Angeles Lakers are a team at the proverbial crossroads entering the 2024-25 campaign. Anthony Davis and LeBron James are coming off of All-NBA seasons, Dalton Knecht is a promising incoming rookie, and Austin Reaves is expected to continue his development into a high-level starter.
Unfortunately, as a team that won 47 games and lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2023-24, Los Angeles has been labeled as a team that's squandering what's left of James' extended prime.
James will turn 40 during the 2024-25 regular season and the Lakers haven't exactly made sweeping changes to accommodate that fact. Instead, Los Angeles has limited its offseason changes to hiring JJ Redick as head coach and drafting Knecht and Bronny James.
It could be a sign that the Lakers don't feel as though there's a chance to contend with Davis and James in 2024-25, but the optimistic take is that there's faith in the returning roster.
Under those optimistic circumstances, the Lakers will need the players around Davis and James to take significant steps forward during the 2024-25 season. It's a fact that places an extraordinary amount of pressure on the supporting cast, but remains true nonetheless.
The question is: Who exactly is under the most pressure to either take a step forward in 2024-25 or potentially hit the trading block by next summer?
Rui Hachimura
This might seem harsh, but Rui Hachimura is entering a make-or-break season with the Lakers. He produced well in 2023-24, but the bizarre manner in which he was utilized in Darvin Ham's rotation hindered the impact of his statistics.
That certainly isn't Hachimura's fault, but it also doesn't change how badly the Lakers need a truly viable option at forward.
Hachimura is owed $17,000,000 for the 2024-25 season and will see $18,259,259 come his way in 2025-26. Both are affordable figures if he lives up to his potential, but anything less than providing that exact level of value could result in Los Angeles pursuing other options.
It's the unfortunate reality of building around 31-year-old Davis and 39-year-old James, as their limited championship window requires the best possible value at every position around them.
The upside here is that Hachimura averaged 17.8 points and 1.9 three-point field goals made when he received at least 30 minutes of playing time in 2023-24. He did so with remarkable efficiency, posting a slash line of .558/.425/.741 in those games.
If that's the type of play that Hachimura delivers in 2023-24, with the ideal added benefit of strong defense, then he'll be safe from potential trades.
If not, his tradable contract could be included in a move to improve the roster.