The Los Angeles Lakers are a better team when Rui Hachimura plays, particularly when he's on the court with Luka Doncic. Unfortunately, Los Angeles' most realistic path to acquiring meaningful talent during the 2024-25 season is to build a trade package around Hachimura.
It's the unfortunate reality that Los Angeles is already encountering as it's forced to decide howHachimura best helps the team reach its goal of contending.
Hachimura is preparing for his fourth season with the Lakers, which acquired him via trade in January of 2023. The team has yet to miss the playoffs since adding Hachimura, who has acted as the well-rounded forward they need on both ends of the floor.