JJ Redick needs to bench Rui Hachimura and start Dorian Finney-Smith down the stretch.
Feb 20, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with forward Rui Hachimura (28) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with forward Rui Hachimura (28) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) after a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
With only two weeks left in the NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are fighting for home-court advantage. By finishing in the top four of the Western Conference, the Lakers hope to have an easier playoff path as they try to get back to the NBA Finals for the first time in five seasons.
In order to accomplish this goal, head coach JJ Redick has to sharpen the rotation and finalize the depth chart. One easy fix that would go a long way involves the starting lineup.
Considering that Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Jaxson Hayes (since he is the only viable center on the roster) are locks to start, that leaves one spot up for debate. Rui Hachimura has been filling that role since the beginning of the season, but the Lakers will be better off bringing him off the bench.
Rui Hachimura says his knee feels about 70-80% back to normal. He says he recognizes that it will likely be that way for a while so long as he keeps playing through the tendinopathy. He could use more rest on it, but that’s just not an option right now.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 23, 2025
It’s Time for the Lakers to Start Dorian Finney-Smith Over Rui Hachimura
Hachimura just returned from a knee injury after missing 12 games since the end of February. He admitted that he wasn’t feeling 100% last week as he plays through tendinopathy. As a result, he hasn’t played over 30 minutes since his return. He looks a step slower defensively, as he struggled immensely on that end of the floor against the Grizzlies.
That is why the Lakers are better off starting Dorian Finney-Smith in his stead. DFS has been a major difference-maker since joining the team mid-season. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions have made a big impact in his minutes. The Lakers have an impressive +10.4 net rating when he is on the court, which is 15.1 points per 100 possessions better than when he is off the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
Plus, Hachimura’s skill set is better suited as a sixth man. He can help keep the offense afloat when LeBron James and/or Luka Doncic are on the bench. Starting Finney-Smith, a better defender than Hachimura, would allow him to take the toughest defensive assignments and spend more time on the opponent’s best player.
If and when Redick goes this route remains to be seen, but considering Hachimura’s slow return from injury and the way Finney-Smith has been playing, it is certainly worth a shot.
