Buha: Rui Hachimura is projected to start for the Lakers this season

The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of forward Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in late January was the first step in them going from a team that was stuck in mud to one that was seemingly championship caliber.

He provided a reliable scoring option, especially in isolation situations from midrange, and someone who can get buckets when LeBron James isn’t on the court.

He came off the bench in almost every game for the Lakers this past season, which gave them a very solid bench. However, there has been chatter he may move into the starting lineup permanently, and Jovan Buha reported that he is projected to do exactly that (h/t The Cold Wire).

There is an argument to be made that Hachimura would be better off as Los Angeles’ sixth man, as he was last season. However, moving him into the starting five would allow the team to, figuratively speaking, punch opposing teams in the mouth early in games with a very potent offensive lineup.

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire