NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers insider puts $51 million wing on the market for upgrade at position

Jarred Vanderbilt's timeline to return to action has been pushed back yet again and he reportedly will not suit up for the LA Lakers until January. According to an article by ESPN's Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin published Tuesday, Vanderbilt had fluid in his left knee which will further delay his return.

With another setback affecting Vanderbilt's availability, a Lakers insider has suggested that it's time for the front office to make trades. In an article published Wednesday, Anthony Irwin wrote forward Rui Hachumura is a prime candidate to be placed on the trade block.

According to Irwin, Hachimura hasn't stepped up as a two-way wing. As such, dangling him in a trade could either encourage him to play better or it could land the Lakers some much-needed relief.

Anthony Irwin writes that LA can improve by trading away Rui Hachimura (Photo credits: ClutchPoints X account)

The Lakers acquired Hachimura from the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2022-23 deadline. LA traded Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks for him. In the offseason following his acquisition, the LA front office signed him to a three-year, $51 million extension. He is under contract with the team until 2025-26.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt was a part of the three-team trade that put D'Angelo Russel back to LA along with Malik Beasley. LA sent Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a first-round pick to the Utah Jazz in that deal.

Last season, Vanderbilt only played a total of 29 games before being sidelined due to a foot injury.

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Rui Hachimura has excelled offensively as a starter for the LA Lakers

Hachimura's impact on the LA Lakers is felt the most when he is part of the starting lineup. Last season, Hachimura started in 39 of the 68 games he played.

In those 39 starts, he averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Meanwhile, he only averaged 11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.1 apg off the bench. Having less production coming off the bench is expected. However, the most glaring discrepancy is the difference in Hachimura's efficiency when he's playing off the bench.

As a starter last season, he shot 57.5% (43.9% from behind the 3-point line). Meanwhile, as a reserve, he only had a field goal percentage of 47.5% and a 39.8% shooting clip from downtown. Overall, he averaged 13.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.2 apg in those 68 games.

These numbers indicate Hachimura performs best when he is playing off LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

This season, Hachimura has played in 17 games, starting every single one. He has averaged 12.1 ppg, on a 47.2% shooting clip (43.3% on his 3s). He's also been averaging 5.2 rpg and 1.7 apg.