Jj Redick Understands How Important Rui Hachimura Is To Winning

Throughout the season, Rui Hachimura’s role has fluctuated. He began as a starter, but with that lineup consistently losing its minutes, head coach JJ Redick relegated Hachimura to the bench.

Despite the perceived demotion, Hachimura has remained an integral part of the Lakers’ identity. Hachimura is averaging 11.1 points and is one of the team’s best 3-point shooters, converting on 43% of his shots from beyond the arc.

More than just his statistical production, Rui continues to be part of Lakers wins, which has not gone unnoticed by head coach JJ Redick.

“Here’s what I know,” Redick said after Friday’s win over the Nets. “We are now 42-18 when Rui plays, which is about a 57, 58 win pace. So that tells you all you need to know. His ability to space the floor, his size, it’s so important for our team and our rotation.”

Besides winning, which is the most important thing, there are a myriad of other stats that show Hachimura’s positive impact on this team.

While he was part of a starting lineup that had a plus-minus of -29, Hachimura is also on the five-man unit that has the best plus-minus on the Lakers. Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić and Hachimura are a +59 when on the court. They’ve played 116 minutes together, which is the fourth most-used Lakers lineup.

Individually, his clutch play has saved the Lakers on occasion this year. He hit a game-winner against the Raptors and back-to-back clutch threes against the Mavericks to avoid defeat.

While Hachimura isn’t the most important Laker, he’s proven his value. He’s embraced his bench role and is thriving in it. Throughout Hachimura’s Lakers tenure, he’s been a player they can depend on.

He was a part of the Lakers’ 2022-23 team that reached the Western Conference Finals, he was a starter for the 50-win squad last year and now, as a bench player, he continues to impact winning.

It isn’t a surprise that Redick continues to rely on and trust in Hachimura. He is a clutch player who provides spacing, shooting and wins LA ball games.

And he’s able to do that whether he starts or is coming off the bench.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.