BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers SG announces Resignation after JJ Redick decision to….SEE MORE

The Lakers’ position in the middle of the season trade rumors has made it easier to see which players could be available and which ones aren’t. According to an insider, the club may be leaning toward keeping one of the rotation players rather than the others, despite the fact that multiple publications had tagged them as potential trade chips.

Rumor Has It That the Lakers See Their Young Forward as a “Longer-Term Piece”
Will Hachimura Remain in Charge?

Jovan Buha of The Athletic noted on Monday that the organization might be more reluctant to release Rui Hachimura than players with medium salaries, such as D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, and Jarred Vanderbilt:

According to what I’ve heard, the Lakers have been considering Rui for the future. Going back to the summer, when talking to team and league personnel, it was usually Max, Austin, Rui, and Dalton, with a small amount of JHS thrown in—though I believe they’ve since shifted their focus away from JHS. So, I believe Rui is seen as something for the future. It doesn’t necessarily imply they wouldn’t trade him, but Between now and January 15th, the Lakers have the option to move four players with mid-level salary. Between now until January 15th, the Lakers have four midrange salaries to deal. Once Max Christie becomes available on the 15th, the number increases to five. Aside from Vando, that’s Rui, D’Lo, and Gabe [Vincent]. If they had to choose one of those four men to retain, it would be Rui.

Before adding a crucial caveat, he elaborated on how head coach JJ Redick’s “trust” in the 26-year-old forward bolsters his argument:

“The Lakers would think about that [trading Hachimura for] a player like Cam Johnson.”

The Lakers’ Reliance on Rui
With a.485/.443/.810 shooting percentage, Hachimura has averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 21 games, all of which he has started. The Lakers were obviously hurting without him after he sat out four games with a strained right ankle. However, in his return, Hachimura has been effective, scoring 12 points per game on a shooting percentage of.560,.367, and.789.

Redick has been quite complimentary of Hachimura all season long, and he was especially effusive in his postgame news conference after the game:

He has met each and every one of our challenges head-on. When it comes to carrying out our instructions, he has been our most reliable player. Coaching him has been a delight. Every day, being in his company has been delightful. When he was away, we felt his absence keenly.

“He makes the correct call the majority of the time, even when you look at the tape—even when he’s not on the ball…” When it comes to our system, our strategies, and the things we expect a guy to accomplish, he’s more consistent. As if coaching him were a breeze, he does it without grumbling.