Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in January of 2023, Rui Hachimura has been one of the more enigmatic figures in the NBA. Seemingly a perfect fit for the modern era of forwards, Hachimura has benefited immensely from how those who were once labeled tweeners are now the desired archetype.
After a season-and-a-half with the Lakers, however, the time has arrived for the 26-year-old to reveal how realistic it is to believe that he can tap into his full potential.
As he approaches his sixth NBA season, Hachimura is just now beginning to enter his prime. There have been clear flashes of his potential as a high-level two-way player, but he also hasn't played upwards of 30 minutes per game since 2020-21.
During a preseason press conference, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed how it is that he hopes to help Hachimura buck the trend and unleash the full scope of what he's capable of in 2024-25.
"In terms of his role, I think that's something that we will define with him. We will also be open-minded to that evolving. Rob brought up the corner crashing. Because when he's not posting up or not playing out of closeouts, or not screening, Rui is an excellent shooter, we want him shooting corner threes. So he's already going to be in the spot to corner crash. So we're going to try to ramp up his offensive rebounding. We're going to ask a lot of him defensively, particularly with bigger wings."
Redick continued:
"If you look at some of the advanced stuff from last season, when he gets the ball in the post against a mismatch, that's a good option for us. When he's attacking a closeout, that's a good option. When he's playing out of screening action as a roller and getting to the pocket, that's great for us. So he'll have a big role and we're going to ask him to do a lot."
Hachimura struggled to crack the starting lineup a season ago, but Redick's comments are proof of how highly the Lakers continue to think of him.
Rui Hachimura will play a pivotal role on both ends of the floor in 2024-25
Hachimura finished the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 three-point field goals made per game. He was remarkably efficient from the field and beyond the arc, converting at a clip of .537/.422/.739.
Unfortunately, Hachimura also came off the bench in 29 of his 68 appearances and didn't crack the starting lineup on a full-time basis until February 3.
The results were instantly tremendous, as Los Angeles went 23-10 between February and the end of the season. It was undeniable evidence of how much better the Lakers are when Hachimura is in the starting lineup, as Los Angeles entered February at 24-25.
Hachimura also averaged 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds on .575/.439/.727 shooting as a starter to the 11.1 points and 3.6 rebounds he tallied on .475/.398/.754 shooting as a reserve.
While increased playing time for Hachimura has typically led to improved results for the team, the burden will be heavier in 2024-25. That begins with how he'll likely be routinely trusted to take on the best wing scorer on the opposing team while starting alongside a 40-year-old LeBron James.
Hachimura will also take on the task of helping Los Angeles improve upon its ranking of No. 30 in the NBA in offensive rebounding in 2023-24.
It's a heavy burden for him to shoulder, but it's what makes Hachimura and his $17 million salary the deciding factor for Los Angeles' championship aspirations. If he thrives in his role as a 3-and-D wing who crashes the offensive glass, the Lakers will have the structure to compete at the highest level.
If the void remains for a 3-and-D wing to assert themselves, however, Hachimura's $17 million cap figure would become Los Angeles' most tradable asset.
It's a mountain of pressure for a player to carry, but it's the unfortunate reality facing Hachimura entering the 2024-25 season. Stricter salary cap rules have made players in his pay range the proverbial glue guys, tasked with either holding the gameplan together in key moments or being overpaid despite their obvious talent.
Thankfully, Redick has a plan in place for how to help Hachimura develop into the player that many know he can be—just in time for the biggest season of his NBA career.