In the 2022/23 season, Rui Hachimura made a significant impact for the Los Angeles Lakers since his arrival just before the trade deadline. His stellar performance became crucial in complementing the team’s star players, ultimately helping the Lakers reach the Western Conference finals.

This remarkable contribution didn’t go unnoticed, as Hachimura earned a well-deserved 3-year, $51 million contract extension from the Lakers, along with a genuine opportunity to secure a spot in the starting lineup.

Recently, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham indicated that he had identified four out of five positions for the starting lineup, including D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. The remaining position is up for grabs, with Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura contending for it.

This article aims to outline the compelling reasons why Rui Hachimura should secure a starting position over Jarred Vanderbilt. In the previous season, both Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt frequently found themselves in the Lakers’ starting lineup under Coach Darvin Ham. Hachimura, however, had fewer opportunities to share the court with Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.

Things took a different turn during the playoffs. While Jarred Vanderbilt also performed admirably alongside the Lakers’ primary starters, statistical analysis revealed that Rui Hachimura delivered better results during these crucial matchups.

To elaborate, Jarred Vanderbilt accumulated a total of 187 minutes playing alongside Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, during which the Lakers outscored their opponents by 12 points. Conversely, Rui Hachimura, with only 126 minutes on the court, contributed to a substantial 52-point difference in favor of the Lakers.

It’s undeniable that Jarred Vanderbilt brings energy and superior defense when tasked with guarding opposing stars. However, his scoring abilities are limited, particularly from beyond the arc, where he recorded a mere 24.1% success rate during the playoffs. This deficiency allows opponents to focus on supporting other crucial Lakers players while largely disregarding Vanderbilt’s offensive threat.

Conversely, Rui Hachimura introduces a different dynamic to the game. While he may not possess the same versatility in defense as Vanderbilt, he excels in another department—3-point shooting.

In the regular season, Hachimura’s 3-point success rate was 29.6%. However, when the playoffs arrived, he attempted 39 shots from beyond the arc in 16 games, converting 19 of them for an impressive 48.7% accuracy. This remarkable improvement in his 3-point shooting, surpassing the NBA’s average rate of 36%, showcases his capability to provide a potent offensive threat.

Regarding defense, Hachimura may not possess the same versatility as Vanderbilt when guarding multiple positions or switching defensively. Nevertheless, in one-on-one matchups against opponents of similar physique and skill, Hachimura proves to be a formidable adversary.

Statistical analysis reveals that players facing Rui Hachimura experience a 6.4% decrease in performance compared to their own average. This exceptional statistic ranks second in the league, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo. Furthermore, when Hachimura shares the court with Reaves, James, and Davis, NBA Stats indicate that the Lakers limit their opponents to an average of 2.7 points per 100 possession situations.

In light of these factors, it becomes increasingly evident that Rui Hachimura should secure a spot in the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup for the 2023/24 season.