If there’s one thing the Detroit Pistons need to figure out as they continue to build around their young core, it’s the power forward position. Injuries and inconsistency have left a gap in the rotation, and it’s a gap that Rui Hachimura could fill seamlessly. The Lakers forward is quietly putting together one of his most efficient seasons to date, and while his production hasn’t shifted the needle much for Los Angeles, his skill set could be exactly what Detroit needs.
Let’s start with the numbers: Hachimura is averaging 12 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and a scorching 42% from three. That kind of efficiency, especially from deep, is no fluke-he’s shot over 40% from beyond the arc in each of the past three seasons. That consistency from long range is a major asset for a Pistons team that has struggled to space the floor, particularly in lineups that feature non-shooters like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
In Detroit, Hachimura wouldn’t need to be a defensive anchor-something he’s quietly become in Los Angeles. He’s arguably been the Lakers’ best perimeter defender this season, often taking on tough assignments while still maintaining his offensive efficiency. But in Detroit, with a roster full of young, athletic defenders, Hachimura could shift his focus more toward offense, where his shooting and mid-range game could shine even brighter.
That mid-range touch shouldn’t be overlooked either. Hachimura ranks among the league’s most efficient shooters in that area this season, and that’s a valuable weapon-especially in playoff settings, where defenses tighten up and floor spacing becomes even more critical.
The Pistons have seen what a reliable mid-range scorer can do for their offense when Tobias Harris was healthy and rolling. But this season, Harris has struggled to stay on the floor, and when he has played, his rhythm has been off.
His numbers are down across the board, and his three-point shot in particular has taken a hit.
That’s a problem when Harris is sharing the floor with Duren and Thompson. Opposing defenses are already helping off those two to clog the lane and crowd Cade Cunningham.
If they can also sag off Harris and dare him to shoot, it makes life even harder for Detroit’s offensive engine. Hachimura changes that equation.
Teams respect his jumper, and that gravity can open up driving lanes for Cunningham and create cleaner looks for the rest of the offense.
From a team-building perspective, Hachimura also makes sense as a trade target. He’s a clear upgrade at a position of need, but he’s not the kind of player who would require Detroit to empty the asset cupboard. The Lakers, in need of defensive identity, might be open to a deal that brings them some of the gritty, switchable defenders Detroit has in surplus.
At 25 years old, Hachimura fits the Pistons’ timeline and could grow alongside their core. He’s a low-maintenance, high-impact player-exactly the type of piece that can help a young team take the next step. Whether it’s helping space the floor, knocking down shots in crunch time, or holding his own on the defensive end, Hachimura checks a lot of boxes.
Detroit’s front office has been patient, but opportunities like this don’t come around often. If the Pistons are serious about building a foundation that can contend in the near future, Rui Hachimura might be the kind of move that accelerates that vision.