A former NBA star recently named Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura the best third- and fourth-string options in the league.

That same night, I got a call from my agent again. He said, ‘The Lakers want you.’ And I was like, ‘Lakers? What Lakers?’ Because I never even thought that I’d be a Laker. Right? So I’m like, ‘Wait, what?

Hachimura closed Wednesday's 131-119 loss to the Jazz with 19 points (8-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. Even with Luka Doncic and LeBron James in the lineup for the Lakers,

LeBron James added 25 points, Austin Reaves scored 23 and Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left side with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers didn’t miss him, going on a 12-2 run to stretch their lead to 19.

Sportsbooks may need to adjust odds based on Hachimura’s numbers, while Reaves’ performance may be fool’s gold. With the absence of Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell, Reaves seems like the natural third banana to Dončić and James.

Hachimura briefly left early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game after appearing tweaking his back. He was evaluated by trainers in the locker room, but the injury doesn't appear to be severe enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the contest.

Lakers forward Rui Hachimura exited to the locker room with an apparent injury during the team’s game against the Nuggets.

Los Angeles Lakers starting forward Rui Hachimura left the Nuggets game in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury. Hachimura left the floor in pain and went straight to the bench. The 27-year-old went to the locker room.

Just over three weeks after the trade that stunned the sports world, Luka Doncic and his Los Angeles Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

The NBA trade deadline has passed, but the Los Angeles Lakers remain in a precarious position. The post Rui Hachimura Latest Confession Increases Rob Pelinka’s Headache As Lakers Trade Hunt Market Continues appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Luka Doncic scored 19 points with 15 rebounds and 12 assists against his former team three weeks after a blockbuster trade and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a 107-99 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.