The Lakers are getting healthier, which means Rui Hachimura may continue to come off the bench, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic. The power forward was used as a starter in his first 27 games this season before being switched to the second unit over the last seven. It might be helpful to establish himself as a consistent starter heading into free agency this summer, but Hachimura said he’s not concerned about that and is willing to do whatever is best for the team.
“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,” he said. “… 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.”
Austin Reaves could return this week after being out of action since Christmas Day with a strained calf. Woike suggests that coach JJ Redick could opt for a stronger defender like Jake LaRavia or Marcus Smart in his starting five while continuing to bring Hachimura off the bench. Redick hasn’t made any lineup decisions yet, but he called Hachimura “easy” to work with and said he’s willing to adapt to any situation.
“I like my role here,” Hachimura added. “The things that I like to do, I’m doing here. I just gotta embrace doing whatever it takes to win for the team.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Luka Doncic improved to 2-0 in Dallas since being traded last winter and his defense made the difference late in Saturday’s comeback victory, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Redick said the Mavericks targeted Doncic on six straight possessions in the fourth quarter and he was able to get a stop each time. Doncic saluted the Dallas fans and thanked them for braving a hazardous storm to attend the game. “That was really special,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect before, because I know how this city gets when the weather is bad. I really appreciate a lot of people showing up.”
- Smart dislocated his right index finger late in Saturday’s game, McMenamin adds. He reacted in pain but then popped it back into place and continued playing. Smart had surgery on the finger during the offseason.
- In a look at what the Lakers need to do to become legitimate contenders, Khobi Price of The New York Post advises staying away from the starting lineup of Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton that Redick used earlier in the season. That unit had a minus-19.9 net rating and often put the team in an early hole.
Domas Sabonis & Keon Ellis to LAL
Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Gabe Vincent & Maxi Kleber to Sac
Kings get their pg of the future, White Chocolate 2.0 if you will, in Reaves. They also clear a bunch of $ for this summer.
Lakers get a big upgrade at the 5 & swap Reaves for a much better defender in Ellis who can upgrade their perimeter defense. Bron don’t have long left in his career but Luka/Domas should be an extremely formidable duo for yrs to come.
Only way kings does a trade like that if Reaves signs an extension before the trade. No team is giving up a star to get a player that is a FA at the end of the year.
Both team would say no
Kings get 2-month rental in Austin Reaves, $36 million unwanted contract in Vanderbilt
After Austin Reaves signs with another team, Kings get Vanderbilt
Lakers get 2-month rental in Ellis
Kings have set high asking price in Sabonis, LaVine, Monk and Ellis
Sabonis = high value young player + high value First + expiring contracts
Kings have also demand first round pick for other 3 players (one First each)
Reaves will test the FA market so no team is going to trade for him without an extension. He got ripped off by lakers last time he was a RFA and had to sign a team friendly deal. This time he will get as much as he wants.
Sac would sign him to an extension. They’d get his bird rights in the deal & the ability to pay him more than anyone else.
The Lakers love Reaves, so they won’t trade him.
This is the lesson Kings have learned
Let’s say Desmond Bane is negative assets – overpaid
If I were a GM, I’d demand 6 unprotected first round picks at the starting point, then we can start chatting.
NBA is business
You always set teh bar high before trade deadline. Close to trade deadline you better take a deal than no deal at all.