Lakers’ LeBron James Reacts To ‘Understudy’ Rui Hachimura

The Los Angeles Lakers adjusted their roster ahead of the new season, but their job is far from done. Things could easily change after training camp and that’s exactly what head coach Darvin Ham discussed in the pre-media day press conference. Joined by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, Ham talked about LeBron James, AD, Rui Hachimura, and the rest of the guys on the roster.

Ham has nothing but words of praise for Hachimura, suggesting that he has improved a lot in the last few months. The Lakers got him from the Washington Wizards and King James sure paid attention to his teammate. According to Ham, LeBron refers to him as his “understudy.”

Talented Hachimura took notice of these comments and even tagged the four-time NBA champion.

🙏🏾🤝🏾 pic.twitter.com/WG27IkhOoQ

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 30, 2023

“Bron calls him his understudy,” Ham said on September 28. “From the visuals and the communication, he’s been with him all summer as much as possible. And I think that’s a great thing. He’s setting himself up to not just have a long career, but a long career at an extremely high level.”

In his 33 regular season games with the Lakers, Hachimura averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds. In the postseason, Hachimura averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. He started one of 16 games and he may take a starting spot in the upcoming season.

Hachimura could join LeBron in the Lakers starting lineup

Jovan Buha from The Athletic discussed Hachimura’s role in the upcoming season relying on team sources.

“The early expectation is that [Christian] Wood will come off the bench with Rui Hachimura the likely frontcourt starter next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” wrote Buha.

The Lakers did give Hachimura a three-year deal worth $51 million, but his job as a starter is not really secure at this point.

“In terms of how [Hachimura]’ll be used … we have a team full of Swiss Army knives,” Ham said. “He’s another player that can play multiple positions, that can score at three levels, that’s strong, physical, that made huge leaps and bounds defensively last year. … I expect nothing but big big big things from Rui this year.”