The offseason is nearly over, and the Los Angeles Lakers have done very little to try and improve their roster. With no major changes, they will need to rely on internal development to get better, something that Los Angeles isn't usually known for doing.
One potential internal development candidate is Rui Hachimura, who will return for his third season with the Lakers. Hachimura has been called the team's X-factor but hasn't always lived up to the label, but former Lakers guard Patrick Beverly believes the reason is more mental than talent or lack thereof.
Patrick Beverly has a point about Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura.
If Rui gets that confidence to play through the misses it can transform his game pic.twitter.com/OcX9XWtnpI
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) September 23, 2024
Beverly makes an interesting point about Hachimura, who has the tools to be a more impactful player but has only established himself as a capable rotation player for the Lakers. At 6'8, he has the size of a four but some perimeter skills, though shooting remains his biggest swing skill, with him being a below-average shooter.
Defensively, his size and length fit well with a big and lanky roster but he could stand to be more of an impact player on that end. He is useful enough to play but the Lakers partly re-signed him to a 2-year, $35 million contract last season in case they needed a big salary to throw into a trade.
Given how often the Lakers make trades, it seems more likely than not that he will finish next season on another team. That is, of course, unless he proves himself to be invaluable. Beverly went so as to compare Hachimura to former Laker and potential team trade target Kyle Kuzma, whom they foolishly gave up on too soon.
He was shipped out in the deal with the Washington Wizards that landed Los Angeles Russell Westbrook. That move cost them a first-round pick and they had to burn another to get off of Westbrook's contract. Moreover, to reacquire Kuzma, they may have to give up yet another first.
All of that is to say that the Lakers perhaps should be more patient with Hachimura to see if he can live up to his full potential. No matter what, the team will still face an uphill battle to make the playoffs next season in a loaded West.
Ironically, their closeness to the second apron has forced them to play it safe and that could actually help them. With any luck, a change in mentality from Hachimura and growth from other Lakers could give them an unexpected boost.