NBA
Insiders report Lakers’ Rui Hachimura is expected to start over Marcus Smart
Zach Wolpin is an NBA and NFL expert who's been betting on the league for over three years now. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. He covers the latest news and stories surrounding the league daily. His passion in life is watching sports and being able to share that through his sports writing. He has written about the NBA and other sports leagues through various media outlets over the years like Sir Charles In Charge, G-Men HQ, and TAP into South Plainfield. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. He studied Sports Media and Writing while in school.
All posts by Zach WolpinUpdated27 mins ago on October 02, 2025
Continuity is what separates the good from the great teams in professional sports. The ability to have a sixth sense with teammates took a team like the Thunder to another level last season.
Having the same group of core players over multiple seasons helped them win an NBA title. Heading into 2025-26, the Los Angeles Lakers hope to do something similar. NBA insider Anthony Irwin reported on the Lakers’ projected starting lineup. He noted that Rui Hachimura is expected to start ahead of Marcus Smart in the upcoming season. Los Angeles wants to keep their starting lineup nearly identical to 2024-25.
Rui Hachimura has developed continuity with the Lakers over three seasons
Rui Hachimura is reportedly favored to start over Marcus Smart in the Lakers’ starting lineup, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“To Hachimura’s point, continuity is a factor, sources say. The Lakers will open the season with a lighter slate and are looking to rack up wins early so as to… pic.twitter.com/Ghrk2sHovp
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 2, 2025
In the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, the Wizards selected Rui Hachimura out of Gonzaga. The 27-year-old played the first four-and-a-half seasons of his career with Washington. Hachimura appeared in 177 games and made 118 starts for the Wizards. At the 2022-23 deadline, Rui Hachimura was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. In three years with the Lakers, Hachimura has appeared in 160 games and made 105 starts.
During his 2024-25 campaign, Rui Hachimura started 57 of his 59 games played for Los Angeles. NBA insider Anthony Irwin reported that Hachimura is expected to keep his starting role in 2025-26. Los Angeles wants to have continuity in their starting lineup. Marcus Smart has been rumored as a potential starter for the Lakers. However, Irwin has hinted that Hachimura will retain his starting spot.
“Work ethic. He loves this game… it’s all about this game.”
Rui Hachimura on what he’s learned from @KingJames in LA! pic.twitter.com/Buatywy1yF
— NBA (@NBA) September 29, 2025
The Lakers’ starting lineup will be Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton. In 59 games played last season, Rui Hachimura averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Additionally, he shot an impressive .413% from beyond the arc. In three seasons with the Lakers, he’s made .402% of his three-pointers. That’s after shooting .356% with Washington.
On top of the continuity factor, Rui Hachimura offers long-term health compared to Marcus Smart. The veteran guard is out for the first week of training camp due to injury. That has only further solidified that Rui Hachimura will be the Lakers’ starter over Smart. Los Angeles opens the 2025-26 season at home vs. Steph Curry and the Warriors. That game is at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21.
