The los angeles lakers’ plans are becoming clearer as the NBA’s trade deadline approaches.
In trade rumors, d’angelo russell and austin reaves have been mentioned, but the lakers haven’t considered trading them at this point. Rui hachimura, a forward the lakers acquired before the trade deadline last season, is behind them.
On january 16, bleacher report’s eric pincus said, “the lakers want to keep reaves and hachimura.” The lakers are reportedly interested in trading for atlanta hawks standout dejounte murray, who is averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc this season. He re-signed with the lakers for three years and $51 million this offseason.
The no. 0 hazchimura is the most famous of all the uranium ruins. The washington wizards signed him as a 9th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and spent his first four seasons with him. In january 2022, the lakers acquired him in exchange for kendrick nunn and draft picks. This offseason, hachimura helped spark the western conference finals and established a close relationship with lakers star lebron james, with the 21-year-old dubbing to his youthful teammate as his “understudy.”
Rui Hachimura ‘Playing With Confidence’ Despite Trade Rumors Surrounding Lakers
Hachimura has suffered a number of injuries this season, including surgery for a fractured nose and, most recently, a calf injury that sidelined him for five games.
He has averaged 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocked shots in two games since his return. After the lakers defeated the oklahoma city thunder on january 15, anthony davis told reporters, “rui was a big part for us last year.” “we want him to return to being himself,” he says. He goes out and overthinks a little bit on occasion. He wants to make the correct move.“be yourself.
Just don’t think about it and just play basketball, as he’s been doing the previous two games, shooting and attacking the basket, says hachimura. “we need to inspire every team we play,” he said. They want to beat us. We are the lakers. They’ll also come out with positive energy and all that, and we won’t lose because of it. “in the second quarter, we’re constantly trying to catch up.” But it’s already too late. I think we just have to match their enthusiasm from the first quarter, according to me. According to nba.com, the lakers are 19th in first-quarter scoring and give up the second-most points in the first round.
According to cleaning the glass, they have a plus-2.3 net efficiency difference with hachimura on the floor this season, placing them in the 63rd percentile. Their rating has fallen to minus-1.9 (39th percentile) for the season without him, with davis and head coach darvin ham highlighting their presence throughout the season. Cam reddish and gabe vincent were both missing against the thunder.
The lakers may be able to complete their season turnaround with continued improvement in health and a dedication to their current starting lineup. If not, their positions on hachimura – and reaves – could be questioned.
