When envisioning how to best fill out next year's Los Angeles Lakers roster, many have been operating under the assumption that LeBron James would be a part of it as the starting four. It is time to take a step back from that line of thinking. James is preparing his bags to leave.
Shams Charania reported: "BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN."
Even if it is the 41-year-old version of him, LeBron leaving the Lakers will be a sizable loss that causes several areas to immediately need repair. On the other end of the win-loss column, someone who is undeniably a big winner from James' decision would be Rui Hachimura.
Hachimura has long been cited as the odd man out in Los Angeles. If LeBron was sticking around, Rui's chances of remaining with the Lakers were slim. With James' money coming off the books, and a starting forward spot available, the decision to pay the Japanese forward is suddenly much easier to justify.
Rui Hachimura could be in Los Angeles for the long haul after LeBron James' exit
The problem with keeping both Hachimura and James was that both needed starter money and a position in that first five to justify the payday. With LeBron cleared out of the way, the Lakers should have a ton more interest in retaining Rui.
Hachimura's fit with Luka Doncic provides very little reason to be questioned. Doncic wants shooters around him. Rui certainly fits that mold.
Hachimura shot 44.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26 with the Lakers. He has shot 41.5 percent from deep during his overall time in Los Angeles. And, of course, Rui is also in the NBA history books as the most efficient career 3-point shooter at 51.6 percent.
Having Hachimura on the receiving end of a Doncic kickout pass to the perimeter is a massive boost to the Lakers offense. That leaves no questions about his fit on that end.
The concerns with Rui always came on the defensive end. There was just too much overlap in where to ideally deploy Hachimura, James, and Doncic on that side of the court. With LeBron leaving, those concerns get immediately minimized, affording Rui a chance to reassert himself as a starter.
Hachimura is a relatively seamless fit around Doncic moving forward. With James no longer there to muddy the waters, his future in Los Angeles should be considered much more likely to continue.
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