NBA preseason is all about learning key takeaways that can help you during the regular season and playoffs. Through two games, the Los Angeles Lakers definitively must understand Rui Hachimura will need to be paired with a creator to help spark his offense.
Thus far, neither Luka Doncic or LeBron James have participated in the Lakers' first two preseason contests following training camp. As a result, Hachimura has struggled on the offensive end, proving beyond any doubt that the Lakers forward is a play finisher, not starter.
Jovan Buha pointed this out on a recent episode of his podcast. Hachimura's shortcomings were difficult to ignore for the host of Buha's Block.
Buha said, "From Rui offensively, he's been the guy, arguably the most, who has suffered from not having Luka, LeBron, and Austin [Reaves]. ... He needs guys to set him up. The Lakers offense has just not had the level of ball handling and playmaking to set up a guy like Rui consistently."
Hachimura struggled in the Lakers' preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns. The bulky forward put up 11 points, but his efficiency was disappointing, shooting only 3-of-12 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc.
That was with Reaves in the lineup. When the talented offensive guard misses the second matchup of the preseason against the Golden State Warriors, Hachimura struggled even getting to spots where he could comfortably get shots up.
Hachimura scored only four points against the Warriors, shooting 2-of-4 from the field and 0-for-1 from deep. Rui finished the matchup tied for the second lowest tally in the points column.
Naturally, this problem gets quickly mitigated once the regular season gets going. Doncic, James, and Reaves are expected to be regularly available by then, barring injuries.
However, it does raise an interesting conversation about Hachimura's role on the team. The 27-year-old has hinted at his preference to start for the Lakers and continue playing with guys who chemistry has been built with. After watching this preseason, his desires of that regard are understandable.
There may still be a conversation that debates whether dropping Hachimura to the bench is ultimately favorable for the balance of the starting lineup. The idea there would be to add more defense among the first five.
If that does happen, this issue of Hachimura creating his own offense is threatened to be exposed more often without careful measures to prevent it. If Rui does slide to the bench, JJ Redick must be tactful in consistently pairing one of the Lakers stars to help create offense for not only him, but the rest of the unit.
Seeing Hachimura's struggles without his talented teammates definitely gives Redick a lot to think about before opening night. It will be worth monitoring how the Lakers head coach responds.
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