I know many of you share my admiration for Rui Hachimura. However, it’s becoming clear that he’s somewhat of an odd man out on this team. Unfortunately, we may have to trade him, and that’s tough because I genuinely like Rui. I believe he has the potential to be a much better player than he has shown so far.

The main issue is that Rui is playing out of position. As long as LeBron James is on this team, it seems he won’t be able to play in the role that suits him best, nor will he get the consistent minutes necessary to make a significant impact. When Rui is on, he’s fantastic. He can knock down threes and has been one of the best three-point shooters in the league this year. His shooting was excellent last season, but that’s not the entirety of his game.

Every time Rui gets the ball, it seems like he’s going for a shot without really moving the basketball. For instance, in a recent game, LeBron passed the ball to him in the corner. Instead of resetting the play, Rui just decided to take a contested shot that didn’t go in, leading to a turnover.

Rui is incredibly efficient when he’s in the right spots, but the Lakers don’t need him to occupy that role right now. With him making $17 million, he represents a significant contract that could be traded for something that makes more sense for the team.

When Jared Vanderbilt returns to health, I believe he should be in the starting lineup. Our best unit last year featured D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reeves, Jared Vanderbilt, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. This combination provided the best balance and defensive coverage, something we desperately need.

Cam Reddish has also been impressive defensively, giving us double-digit scoring and consistent effort. However, he’s not quite the three-point shooter we need. If he could improve in that area, he would be a starter over anyone else.

Jared Vanderbilt brings such an incredible defensive presence that it feels like he’s everywhere at once. His ability to cover ground makes him a unique asset, especially when paired with Anthony Davis. Together, they elevate the Lakers’ defense significantly.

Right now, Rui seems like the odd man out. While I don’t hate the idea of him coming off the bench, the reality is that LeBron will still be on the court for about 35 minutes a game, limiting Rui’s opportunities.

If LeBron were in his last season, it might make sense to keep Rui to see what he could develop into. But with LeBron likely having a few more years left, the Lakers need to make moves to maximize their chances of winning now.