Lakers 2025-26 Player Previews: Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura enters the 2025-26 season not as a role player, but as a key part of the Lakers’ rotation in a contract year. The pressure is higher now, and he needs steady play and real growth to prove to both the Lakers and the rest of the league that he belongs long term.

What He Did in 2024-25

Hachimura appeared in 59 regular-season games, starting 57. He averaged 13.1 points, five rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from three, some of his most efficient numbers as a Laker.

His ability to stretch the floor, make cuts, and finish in traffic made him a reliable option in lineups. On defense, he showed signs of improvement (better positioning, more effort switching, and fewer breakdowns than in past seasons), but there’s still room to tighten up in rebounding, closeouts, and consistency over full games.

Warriors-Lakers starters:

GSW: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green

LAL: Luka Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) October 21, 2025

Where He Stands Now

At Lakers Media Day, Rui addressed the contract year pressure directly:

“It’s the business side of it … I know I can’t really do anything about it. I just got to play my game. I just got to do whatever I need to do to help this team to win this year. … Whatever comes after, it comes with it.”

He was also asked about starting vs coming off the bench. He made it clear he’ll accept whatever role is asked of him:

“The starting lineup is JJ’s decision and I’ll do whatever is asked of me.” 

Analysts and reporters are already projecting that Rui is the “most likely” candidate to round out the Lakers’ starting five this season. 

What’s Changed

• Contract leverage & trade chatter:
  • He’s in the final year of the three-year, about $51 million deal he signed in 2023. Because of that, there’s natural speculation he could become a trade asset. That said, some reports suggest the Lakers are not actively pursuing his trade. 
• Role flexibility:
  • He may start, but his value also rests on being able to shift into bench roles based on matchups.
• Aggression & assertiveness:
  • If he just waits for the ball, he won’t reach his potential. But if he moves more, goes for rebounds, and steps up in big moments, he can take his game to another level.
• Defensive reliability:
  • At his best, Rui can guard forwards, rotate, and contest. If he gets more consistent in those areas, he’ll be a better all-around player.

Projection

Rui Hachimura’s 2025-26 season is a really important one. If he stays consistent, scores around 13-15 points a game, plays solid defense, and keeps shooting well, he can prove he deserves a long-term spot with the Lakers. But if he fades into the background or makes the same mistakes, he could lose minutes. This season is all about being steady, confident, and dependable.