Even though they haven’t been at their best, the Los Angeles Lakers are still pretty much in the mix for a playoff spot.
The Western Conference has been a bit of a battle, leaving the door wide open for the Lakers to sneak in if they get hot at the right time.
That’s why the Rui Hachimura trade was such good news for Lakers fans, as he might as well be just what they need to revamp their team ahead of the second half of the season.
The former ninth-overall pick was playing the best basketball of his young career with the Washington Wizards, and his combination of size, athleticism, and strength gives them another physical presence down low.
Of course, Hachimura will never live up to those ‘Japanese Giannis Antetokounmpo‘ comparisons he drew while at Gonzaga, but he could still be quite the serviceable player.
Notably, Lakers legend Magic Johnson is a fan of his game, yet he thinks he needs to be more aggressive on both ends of the floor to fulfill his potential.
I like the Lakers trade for Rui Hachimura. He’s long, athletic, and smart but has to get more aggressive on both ends of the court.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 23, 2023
His aggressiveness and feel for the game were two of the biggest question marks during his college days, as he tended to take plays off or hide in the offense more often than not.
But the Lakers can now roll a huge lineup with Hachimura, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Thomas Bryant, giving them plenty of versatility and turning them into a switching nightmare for their rivals, so you better think twice before counting them out.
NEXT: Lakers Share Hype Video For Their Newest Addition