Rui Hachimura has been out of the Los Angeles Lakers lineup since Dec. 28, missing the team’s last three games due to a calf injury. The team is 2-1 in his absence, losing to the Detroit Pistons in blowout fashion before taking two in a row against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team would certainly like to get one of their best wings back, though, despite the winning record.
The Lakers have cycled between multiple options to start in his place, seemingly finding some success with Jake LaRavia alongside Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton — Austin Reaves remains out with a calf strain. LaRavia seems to be getting into a rhythm after a huge shooting slump in December, and has slotted into the starting lineup well.
Decisions about who will remain the starter will eventually have to get made, but Hachimura’s health comes first and foremost. And head coach JJ Redick gave an update about when he might be back in the lineup.
“He won’t play on this road trip… He’s gonna stay back and try to get some work in and hopefully he’s able to get some work in with South Bay potentially, that hasn’t been decided. But yeah, he’ll stay back. Him and AR both,” Redick said.
The Lakers have a two-game road trip coming up against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. They then return home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, which is now the earliest possible return date for Hachimura.
Having the extra few days to stay in Los Angeles, work with South Bay and get his usual treatment could increase the chances of a return on Friday. However, ruling him out for two games at a time could signal that he is still farther away from a return than four days.
The Pelicans are a beatable opponent with or without Rui, and the Spurs were going to be a challenge even at full strength. That could be part of the calculus in not bringing him back earlier, as well. But for now, he remains out of the lineup until Friday at the least.
Lakers willing to sacrifice flexibility for needle-mover
Even at full strength, it’s very clear that the Lakers are imperfect, and likely need multiple trades in order to be serious contenders this season. At least one of those trades — if not more — needs to be for a two-way perimeter player with size, an archetype the Lakers haven’t truly had under Rob Pelinka’s leadership.
Pelinka has been preserving future cap space and flexibility, but is willing to sacrifice that to get someone that moves the needle at that position, according to recent reports.
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