Rui Hachimura is quietly becoming one of the most intriguing storylines of the Lakers’ season - not because of what he’s doing wrong, but because of how well he’s doing one very specific thing: shooting the lights out.
The numbers don’t lie. Hachimura is knocking down 46.0% of his threes on 5.5 attempts per game.
That’s elite territory, especially for a Lakers team that’s been starving for consistent perimeter shooting. He’s not just spacing the floor - he’s stretching defenses, forcing rotations, and creating breathing room for stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis to operate.
In a league where shooting is currency, Rui’s value is climbing.
But here’s where things get complicated.
As the Lakers navigate the grind of the 2025-26 season, one glaring issue keeps surfacing: defense. And that’s where Hachimura’s role becomes a bit murky.
The Lakers need to tighten up on that end, and that often means leaning on lineups that can switch, scramble, and hold their own against elite offensive units. Rui, for all his offensive efficiency, hasn’t consistently been that guy defensively.
It’s not a knock - it’s just the reality of what this roster needs right now.
Then there’s the business side of things. Hachimura is averaging 13.3 points per game on an efficient 53.2% from the field, and he’s eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $114.5 million. That’s a hefty chunk of change - roughly $28 million per year - and it would eat significantly into the Lakers’ projected $50 million in cap space this summer.
So now the Lakers are facing a classic NBA dilemma: pay up to keep a high-level shooter who fills a critical need, or explore other options that might offer more two-way impact or greater financial flexibility. It’s not a knock on Rui’s game - it’s about fit, timing, and long-term planning.
If the Lakers don’t feel confident about reaching an extension that works for both sides, Hachimura becomes more than just a valuable rotation piece - he becomes a potential trade chip. He’s the most expensive expiring contract on the roster, which gives GM Rob Pelinka some leverage heading into the trade deadline.
And that’s where things could get interesting.
Letting Hachimura walk for nothing in free agency would sting, especially after investing in his development. But if Pelinka sees an opportunity to upgrade the roster at the deadline - maybe by adding a more versatile defender or a player who better complements LeBron and AD - he might be tempted to pull the trigger.
Of course, there’s always the option to ride it out. The Lakers could hold onto Rui through the deadline and revisit negotiations in the offseason.
Maybe both sides find a number that makes sense. Maybe the market dictates his value.
Maybe his playoff performance changes the equation entirely.
The truth is, there’s no clear-cut answer here. Hachimura’s shooting is too important to ignore, but so are the financial and defensive realities the Lakers are juggling. What’s certain is that his situation will remain one of the most closely watched storylines as we inch closer to February’s trade deadline.
For now, Rui keeps hitting shots. And the Lakers keep weighing the cost of keeping one of the league’s most efficient shooters in purple and gold.