Coming into the season, one of the biggest questions surrounding the team was who would be the fifth starter with the debate centered on Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart.
While the Lakers don’t feel all that
much closer to finding the solution, one thing they appeared to have landed on is Rui coming off the bench. After taking a role as a reserve in the interim upon his return from injury, Rui remained on the bench as his minutes restriction was lifted on Saturday in Dallas.
Prior to the game, head coach JJ Redick said the team would not make starting lineup changes before Austin Reaves’ return, signalling that Rui would remain on the bench.
After the game, Rui spoke to Dan Woike of The Athletic about coming off the bench, a role he is embracing at this point in his season and career.
“A lot of people think about stats and all that, but for me it’s like winning. That’s gonna help us to everybody get paid,” Hachimura told The Athletic. “… And especially with this second unit, I get more touches too. … I don’t mind. It’s more so like, who’s finishing the game? Or who’s playing more? For me, that’s more important.”
While Rui hasn’t been outright against coming off the bench, compare this message to the tone of his answer when asked about being the fifth starter during Media Day a handful of months ago.
“I mean, it’s coach’s decision,” Hachimura said. “It’s not my decision. It’s not really about who’s starting and not, it’s just the minutes and who can be on the court longer. I think it’s, for me, just whatever the team needs me to do. But we’ve been building the chemistry that I’ve been in the starting five for two, three years. So whatever they decide I have to do, it’s just a matter of the chemistry, how we can build and we can be on the court together and how we can give an impact.”
Again, he was never outright against it during his Media Day response, but it’s clear he has a different approach to things now versus then.
The natural concern for Rui is almost certainly that this is a contract year and he wants to maximize his money on his next deal. However, he had another interesting quote at the end of Woike’s piece in The Athletic that may signal a change in attitude on that front, too.
“I like my role here,” he said. “The things that I like to do, I’m doing here. I just gotta embrace doing whatever it takes to win for the team.”
Rui is certainly capable of being a contributor in a big way on a contending team, as he’s done during his Lakers tenure. He can still be a big-time contributor coming off the bench. It’s best for the team to have Rui as a sixth man and possibly best for Rui, too.
Fortunately, it appears he recognizes that, which should spell good things going forward.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
