Rui Hachimura’s ability to be “one of the best” in the NBA

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers are facing his pre-loaded schedule that will see them through the month of January, and as a result, the team made the decision to cancel the scrimmages on the day of the match. The Lakers will still get help in the lineup upon their return Rui Hachimura who dealt with a calf injury. For the head coach of the Lakers JJ RedickHachimura’s return comes with a skill that the team needs.

“He’s our best catch-and-shoot guy,” Redick said after the Lakers’ practice on Sunday. “He’s one of the best guys in the league.”

When Rui Hachimura was still with the Washington Wizards, he had the ball in his hands more often, but with the Lakers he had to adapt to an off-ball role. When he was first traded, he played alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Now it’s James and Luka Doncic.

The result? Hachimura has been posting some of the best shooting percentages of his career over the last few seasons. His shot attempts were down from his Wizards, but his efficiency was better. For him, it’s just proof of his work.

“Being changed here, especially playing with LeBron, AD and now Luke, those guys are going to get a lot of attention, get double-teamed … so that’s the kind of thing I’ve been working on since I got here,” Hachimura said after the Lakers’ practice on Sunday. “That’s my favorite thing right now. So just keep doing it, keep working at it, and it’ll be my thing.”

Before the Lakers’ loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Hachimura had missed six straight games with a calf injury. He was scratched on the injury report against the Kings but did not play. Redick acknowledged that Hachimura will only be available for one game of the back-to-back, returning against the Atlanta Hawks to the limit of 18 minutes.

He appeared in 27 games this season with just over 32 minutes per game. He averaged 12.7 points and 3.8 rebounds on 52.1 percent shooting from the field, 44.5 percent from the 3-point line and 75 percent from the free throw line. His field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are the second highest marks of his career.

Hachimura will come off the bench first upon his return due to playing time restrictions. Jake LaRavia will continue to play forward for now.