The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Rui Hachimura a couple of years ago, and he’s been a solid role player for them ever since. In fact, he’s shooting the ball very well this season. However, Deni Avdija, who was another Washington Wizards forward at the time, has since broken out as a star with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Avdija looks primed to be an All-Star candidate this season, and he could have been a perfect player for the Lakers to pair alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves moving forward. Hachimura is a solid role player, but Avdija looks like a star.
Had the Lakers traded for him instead of Hachimura, they could be in an even better spot right now.
**How are Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija playing?**
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As noted, since joining the Lakers, Hachimura has been a solid role player. He’s probably been a bit underrated since putting on the purple and gold, as his three-point efficiency has been really impressive.
Plus, he’s been a regular starter for the Lakers, which has been a much-needed role. Since his first season in LA, Hachimura has started every playoff game for the Lakers, and he’s been an every-night starter for the last two regular seasons.
So far this season, Hachimura has appeared in 16 games for the Lakers, starting all of them and playing a career-high 33.4 minutes per contest.
He has averaged 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting a career-high 56.8% from the field and a career-high 48.3% from deep range on 3.8 three-point attempts per game.
However, though Hachimura is putting up solid numbers in LA, Avdija is putting up even better numbers for the Blazers, who are looking to take a step forward this season.
In 19 games for the Blazers this year, Avdija has played 33.9 minutes per contest (and he’s been a starter every game for them).
Avdija has averaged a career-high 25.5 points (making him the 18th-leading scorer in the NBA), 6.4 rebounds, and a career-high 5.5 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field and 38.9% from distance on 6.9 three-point attempts per contest.
It’s been an absolutely incredible campaign for Avdija (and for the Blazers), and had the Lakers had the foresight to target him instead of Hachimura, they could be the beneficiaries of his current breakout.
Obviously, the Lakers [probably have no complaints](https://lakeshowlife.com/rui-hachimura-turning-impossible-lakers-decision-into-easy-one) about adding Hachimura, as he has been solid, but there should be at least a _little_ regret over not trading for Avdija instead.