Rui Hachimura’s 2024-25 Campaign with Lakers: Sharpshooting Forward Adjusts Under JJ Redick
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura entered the 2024-25 season with a new head coach and a defined spot in the starting lineup. First-year coach JJ Redick immediately installed the 27-year-old alongside stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, asking him to focus on floor spacing and weak-side cutting.
Hachimura responded by hitting 41.3% of his three-point attempts and averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 59 games. He shot 50.9% from the field, a career best, while occasionally sliding to small-ball center on a roster short on traditional big men.
Mid-season disruption
A calf injury after the All-Star break interrupted Hachimura’s rhythm and limited practice time with a roster reshaped by the trade-deadline arrival of Luka Doncic. With Doncic, James and Austin Reaves sharing ball-handling duties, Hachimura’s post-up opportunities dwindled, pushing him further into a catch-and-shoot role.
Playoff performance
Despite defensive concerns, Hachimura logged heavy minutes in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He scored 23 points in both Game 4 and Game 5, playing 40 minutes in each contest, though Los Angeles fell in five games.
Season highlight
Hachimura’s top outing came on March 28 at home versus the Memphis Grizzlies, when he poured in 32 points and 10 rebounds on 11-for-14 shooting, including 7-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead
The 2025-26 season is a contract year for Hachimura, and no extension talks were held during the offseason. Redick’s system is expected to remain similar, but it is unclear whether Hachimura will open the year as a starter or headline the second unit.
Source: Lakers Nation
