The possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers may have to trade Rui Hachimura has been suggested. Yet it would be folly to sell the burgeoning young forward for several reasons: he has yet to reach his full potential and is marketable around the world.
Value on the Court and Unlocked Potential for Hachimura
Hachimura scored 13.6 points per game last season on efficient shooting percentages—53.7% from the floor and 42.2% behind the three-point line. The 6-foot-8 and 235-pounder offers size and versatility crucial in this era of the NBA.
But there is an increasing feeling that Hachimura has not been fully utilized in former Head Coach Darvin Ham’s system. This is something New Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick has been talking about, saying Hachimura could be used better.
Redick thinks Hachimura could be a high-level offensive rebounder—a skill that the current construction of the Lakers does not maximize. That shows how much more valuable Hachimura could become to the team with some tweaks in coaching.
Money Matters and Trade Targets to Watch
The Lakers, as currently constructed, have less flexibility to improve, due almost exclusively to the financial handcuffs they are wearing. In the case of Hachimura, yes, a contract such as his would be substantial but less so than some alternatives. One name that has been floating around in a potential trade is Jerami Grant. Jerami Grant is due to make 30-35 million per year over the next 4 years.
One NBA executive put it this way: “I’m not so sure he’s [Grant] that much better than Rui, so you’re going to give up Rui and a pick? I can’t see making that move. That’ll just be a bad move, always is making trade for the sake of trading.”
Breakdown of Global Impact and Marketing Potential
The Japanese market loves Hachimura, and that is a huge plus for the Lakers. The Japanese sensation, who became the first player from his country to ever be taken in the first round of an NBA draft, is a national brand.
Potential for Expansion and Utilization
He is only 26 and has not yet peaked. His performance at times last year showed what he could be, and with more time playing a role the Lakers actually wanted him to play in their system, his impact will likely grow. This is something that JJ Redick mentioned and the quick release indicates an area of Hachimura’s game where he could show improvement—mainly as a offensive rebounder.
Consistency and Chemistry
Team chemistry can benefit from keeping some roster consistency. Hachimura has proven to be a good fit for the team and with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers would be best served by not trading him.
Conclusion
The Lakers would do well to hold on to the promising, albeit raw, young Hachimura regardless of potential trade opportunities. His on-court production, manageable contract, global appeal, and potential for growth also serve up true roster value. As head Coach JJ Redick stated, the key is in using his skills more wisely.
Rather than pursue a lateral move, the Lakers could simply elect to grow Hachimura into whatever monster he can become—optimizing their strategies for his idiosyncratic blend of talents and turning loose some untapped potential (perimeter defense and offensive rebounding in particular).
As the NBA continues to evolve, those are sometimes the most prudent transactions: not ones that re-imagine what you have on hand but rather maximize pieces in-house. In this case, it could be a way of being nimble and ahead of the curve—holding onto Rui Hachimura instead is making that kind of decision for better or worse.
Comments