CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Less than 12 months ago, Lakers coach JJ Redick provided one of the biggest compliments a player in Rui Hachimura’s position could receive.

Last December, Redick said Hachimura up to that point had been the team’s most consistent player “in terms of what we’ve asked him to do and then going out and executing it.”

What followed from that comment was what Redick described as a “career year” for Hachimura in 2024-25 – and the 27-year-old forward has been even better so far in the early parts of 2025-26.

“Nobody talks about him, but he deserves a lot of credit [for] our wins,” said All-Star guard Luka Doncic, who has referred to Hachimura as “underrated.”

Doncic added: “He’s been amazing for us, and the way he plays like every game just helps us a lot.”

Hachimura’s ave

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