"Nobody Talks About Him": Luka Doncic and JJ Redick Potentially Silence $51M Lakers Forward's Trade Rumors

Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and coach JJ Redick have potentially silenced trade rumors circling Rui Hachimura. The veteran forward, who is in the final year of his $51.0 million contract, was one of the popular names thrown around in trade machines throughout the offseason.

An underwhelming preseason only fueled the Lakers fan base's desire to move him, mainly due to his one-dimensional play. Hachimura has been a lights-out shooter when in rhythm, but his defense and rebounding are questionable on most nights, leading to the trade rumors.

He was reportedly involved in the framework negotiated for Andrew Wiggins, but a deal didn't materialize due to the Heat's demand for draft capital. In Monday's 121-111 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Hachimura scored 21 points on 9 of 12 shots, including 3 of 3 from deep. However, he was also huge on defense.

Underdog NBA

@UnderdogNBA

Heat asking for Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick from Lakers in potential trade for Andrew Wiggins, per @jovanbuha.

Lakers coach JJ Redick and superstar Luka Doncic gave Rui Hachimura his flowers for putting in the work on both ends.

Here's what Redick told reporters (via Spectrum SportsNet):

"Rui had a stretch there in the third (quarter). It was as good as we have seen him on that end of the floor. On top of that, he was making shots on the other end to give us that cushion."

Doncic added:

"It helps us win games a lot. But like I said ... maybe the Atlanta game, he was very underrated. Nobody talks about him, but he deserves a lot of credit in our wins. He's been amazing for us, and the way he plays like every game, it just helps us a lot, especially to win games."

Rui Hachimura has been clinical through the first 11 games, averaging career highs across the board. He's scoring 16.3 points on 58.6% shooting, including 52.4% from 3-point range.

Underdog NBA

@UnderdogNBA

Rui Hachimura this season: 16.3 PPG (career-high) 2.0 3PG (career-high) 58.6% FG (career-high) 52.4% 3PT (career-high) 21 PTS on 9-12 FG, 3-3 3PT in Lakers' win over Hornets.

---

Rui Hachimura is a solid long-term fit for JJ Redick and Luka Doncic-led Lakers

Rui Hachimura could be the power forward of the future for the JJ Redick and Luka Doncic-led Lakers. Hachimura has seen a yearly uptick in his 3-point shooting. While his defense isn't consistently elite, at 6-foot-9, he provides incredible length on the perimeter.

Hachimura is also playing well in his role as a power forward on defense without LeBron James. With the four-time MVP in the lineup, Hachimura has to guard small forwards, which isn't his strongest suit, leading to most of his struggles.

Teams crave for an efficient shooter with Hachimura's size and length, and the Lakers have had a tough time acquiring such talent for years. He shot 42.2% from deep in the 2023-24 season, 41.3% in the 2024-25 season, and is at 52.4% this season.

If LA can, it makes complete sense for it to retain the 27-year-old, who fits Doncic's timeline. The ideal scenario to ship Hachimura is if the Lakers are trading for a young power forward who is a reliable shot maker and better defensively than the Japanese forward.