The Los Angeles Lakers are led by four-time MVP LeBron James, five-time All-NBA First Team honoree Luka Doncic, and rising star Austin Reaves. That trio has consumed the spotlight in 2025-26, overcoming injuries to lead the Lakers to a potential postseason berth.
If the Lakers are going to bridge the gap between being a playoff team and becoming a true contender, however, then it's Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia who must step up.
It's far from hyperbolic to state that Hachimura and LaRavia are the first and perhaps even last line of defense for the Lakers against high-level wing scorers. Doncic and James can provide quality when they're locked in, and Reaves is a solid off-ball defender.
Considering how star-centric Los Angeles' offensive system is and how well-documented their defensive woes are, however, it's Hachimura and LaRavia who carry the heaviest workload on defense.
If Hachimura and LaRavia are able to even adequately defend opposing wing scorers, the Lakers can realistically contend. No one is going to lock down All-NBA players such as Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, or Jalen Williams, but keeping them contained is still a critical goal.
The harsh reality facing the Lakers is that the only option they have for achieving that goal is the combination of Hachimura and LaRavia providing consistent resistance while still offering value in a supporting role on offense.
Lakers need Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia to bridge gap to contender status
On paper, Hachimura and LaRavia give Los Angeles everything they could ask for from two supporting wings. They combine to average 20.6 points per game despite Hachimura only playing an average of 29.1 minutes and LaRavia checking in at 25.9, with the former shooting 44.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles is No. 22 in the NBA in defensive rating, however, and rank No. 29 in points allowed via forwards per game.
Hachimura has done his part to help, ranking in the 73rd percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 89th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index. He often gets caught up on screens, however, and the Lakers' star trio lacks the defensive consistency to bail him out in said scenarios.
LaRavia has effectively experienced the same, ranking in the 78th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 93rd percentile in off-ball chaser defense, but the 38th in ball screen navigation.
With this in mind, Hachimura and LaRavia must find a way to maximize the value of the minutes they share on the court. Their offense generally proves sufficient, but their greatest value will be found if they avoid the pitfalls of playing with defensively inconsistent teammates.
If Hachimura and LaRavia somehow manage to anchor a stronger effort on defense, then the Lakers may just find a way to make noise in the playoffs.