Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura looks set to be a starter for the team in 2023-24. After singing a two-year deal with the club this week, Christian Wood noted that Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has told him he sees him playing a "big" role, but team sources have told The Athletic's Jovan Buha that the Lakers prefer to see Hachimura over Wood in the starting unit. Combined with the playoffs, Hachimura started just 10 of 49 games for the Lakers last season, but he was very effective coming off the bench, and his production should get another boost when he links up with the starters.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Rui Hachimura is returning to the Lakers on a three-year, $51 million deal. The Lakers acquired him before the deadline last season, and he flourished in his role. The 25-year-old forward averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 33 games. Hachimura played at an elevated level and helped LA make the Western Conference finals. But now that he will have an entire offseason with the team, he should step into a more prominent role, which is a great sign for fantasy owners.

The Los Angeles Lakers extended qualifying offers to swingman Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura on Tuesday. Not much of a surprise here, as the move comes merely as a formality with both players officially becoming restricted free agents. It would be a surprise, though, to see either of them accept the deals, considering they could aim for higher salaries even by staying with the Lakers. In any event, it's a sign that Los Angeles desires to keep the role players around, but perhaps with Reaves signifying greater priority. The three-level scorer was a revelation this season, particularly in the playoffs as Reaves compiled 16.9 points 4.6 assists, and 2.4 threes per game on a 44% clip from beyond the arc. Hachimura wasn't as significant a factor, but the scoring wing still posted a decent 12.2 points and 1.2 threes on 48.7% shooting from deep during the postseason.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura won't be playing at this year's FIBA World Cup for Japan. The 25-year-old is set for his first free agency period and wants to focus on his NBA career. "I have decided to skip this year's FIBA World Cup. All apologies for the disappointing news to the fans who were looking forward to the World Cup," Hachimura said in a statement via the Japan Basketball Association. "It was a very difficult decision but after the season and a long play-offs, and with my first free agency ahead of me, I made this decision in the best interests of my future NBA career. This summer, I hope to focus on the training and getting my body ready for next season." It's been reported that Hachimura is set to command around $15 million annually in free agency after his strong 2023 playoff performances.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura will move into the starting five for Monday's Game 4 matchup versus the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are down 3-0 in the series, so head coach Darvin Ham has decided to mix it up. Hachimura will move into the starting unit with Jarred Vanderbilt heading to the bench. He'll start alongside Dennis Schroder, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis. Hachimura has been a consistent scorer for them lately, so they've decided to give him a chance with the starting unit.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura produced another solid game while coming off of the bench. While he wasn't exactly the answer to win the game like a lot of Lakers faithful believed, he went a big portion of the game without missing a single shot. The former Washington Wizard ended with 21 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal while shooting 8-for-10 from the floor and 1-for-2 from beyond the arc. His impact has been felt but that alone won't be enough to take down a Nuggets team firing on all cylinders.

According to NBA insider Chris Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura could join the starting lineup in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against Denver on Thursday. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham hasn't been shy in switching things up in the starting unit, with Dennis Schroder being the latest player to earn promotion off the bench, and Hachimura could be next in line. Hachimura was praised for his defense on Nikola Jokic in Game 1, and the Lakers clearly need to keep the former two-time MVP as quiet as possible to have a chance to progress from the series. D'Angelo Russell played just nine second-half minutes in the series opener and appears to be the likeliest starter to make way for Hachimura if Ham indeed makes another change to his starting unit.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura had a monster performance in Game 1 of the Lakers-Grizzlies divisional playoff matchup, finishing with 29 points and six rebounds on a 78% shooting clip. Hachimura also went 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. The 25-year-old saw 30 minutes in the playoff game, an increase from his season average of 22 minutes with the Lakers. The Gonzaga product now looks like Darvin Ham's preferred option off the bench for the Lakers' upcoming postseason games.

On Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornets made it official when they shut down their star guard LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the 2022-2023 NBA season.Many fantasy managers' worst fears were realized when Ball's non-contact injury in Monday night's game against Detroit turned out to be a fractured ankle. Charlotte's season was already lost, but fantasy managers were hoping to get a few more weeks from Ball who, when healthy, was putting up huge numbers this season.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

2022-2023 Season Recap

LaMelo Ball will finish his third NBA season with the following numbers.23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 4.0 3PM, 1.3 STL, 0.3 BLK, 3.6 TO, 41.1% FG%, 83.6% FT%He played in only 36 games this year and is currently 32nd overall in per-game value for 9-cat in Basketball Monster's player ratings.When he was on the floor, he was a triple-double threat on a nightly basis. His talent is undeniable. Just look at what he did to the Spurs only a few weeks before getting hurt.

Highlights LaMelo Ball Spurs ... [More]

LeBron James has dominated the National Basketball Association since entering the league straight from high school. He's won numerous awards and has led several teams to an NBA Championship. During the 2022-23 season, the Akron, Ohio, native continued to get it done, despite battling several nagging ailments along the way.However, James' latest issue, a right foot injury, is expected to keep him out indefinitely. So what does this mean, and will we see James back on the court this season? Is there a chance he won't return?To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

LeBron James Injury Update

James injured his right foot during the third quarter of Sunday's comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was a tense few seconds after the multi-time MVP clutched his foot after suffering what was deemed a "non-contact injury." The concern grew to greater heights after he was overheard saying, "I heard a pop." Situations like this are never good, as many were concerned that an Achilles tear could be the culprit.https://twitter.com/FanDuelTV/status/1630602449227595777?s=20Yet, after James gathered himself, he tightened his shoe and finished the game, totaling 26 points, eight rebounds, one block, and one steal. Head coach Darvin Ham appeared optimistic while speaking postgame, stating the 38-year-old was "good."However, that couldn't be further from the case, with The Athletic's Shams Charania reporting that James would "miss an extended period of time" because of the foot injury. Charania later added that the all-time scoring leader would "require multiple opinions."https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1630363560051187712?s=20 

LeBron James' Season Recap

Despite James' advanced NBA age, he's still productive. In 47 appearances, he's averaged 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. While his three-point percentage has regressed, that's never been his strong suit.James was also named an All-Star captain while recently passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time scoring leader.https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1623184801284104192?s=20That said, despite some high-level accomplishments, the year has been a rough one for the 2003 No. 1 overall pick. He's battled left foot soreness for nearly the entire season, so much so that he routinely carried some type of injury designation heading into almost all of his games over the last few months.... [More]

The Russell Westbrook experiment in Los Angeles has been less than ideal over the past two years and has officially come to an end. With the West stocking up everywhere, the Lakers knew they had to make a splash in order to make a push to the playoffs.The Lakers executed a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, involving a total of eight players and multiple draft picks Wednesday night. The Lakers sent Russell Westbrook, Juan Tuscano-Anderson, and Damian Jones to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt while also acquiring D'Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Jazz also sent Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Timberwolves while accumulating even more draft capital.So just what is the fantasy basketball fallout of this blockbuster trade? Let's examine how each of the teams and players in the deal may be affected going forward. 

Fantasy Basketball Fallout: Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is expected to be bought out from Utah and enter free agency. There are already rumors of teams interested in the veteran point guard, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls. If Westbrook were to be claimed, he would likely be given a prominent role immediately given these three teams are all lacking in the point guard position. Westbrook's caveat has always been his personality fit so it remains to be seen how well he can mesh with his new team if he is claimed. 

Fantasy Basketball Fallout: Lakers

The Lakers get some much-needed spacing and size with the additions of Russell, Beasley, and Vanderbilt. Russell is shooting a career-high 39.1 percent from three while averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season. Russell should absorb Westbrook's minutes and will likely start at point guard over ... [More]

Without a doubt, Kyrie Irving is arguably one of the most naturally gifted players in the National Basketball Association. He's a fantastic ball-handler and can get to the rim with ease. However, the former Duke Blue Devil's career has been surrounded by controversy, ultimately impacting his ability to win an MVP.The NBA trade deadline kicked off with a bang when Irving, who had demanded a trade out of Brooklyn, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. NBA fans and fantasy managers are left wondering how things will play out.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

Kyrie Irving's Season Recap

Irving got suspended for an antisemitic social media post, keeping him out of the lineup for eight games. But since then, the 30-year-old stayed out of the limelight, so most had assumed he finally turned things around. He's played well all season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 40 appearances.https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1622324668047794177?s=20&t=NTffJ2tRvNpjAA7bddjYHQHe was also selected to the All-Star team for the eighth time in his career. However, things were apparently going too well, as Irving dropped a bombshell by requesting a trade. His wish was granted, as he was sent to Dallas in exchange for ... [More]

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura will make his first start with his new team on Monday. This doesn't come as a surprise, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both sidelined due to injury. This will be Hachimura's first start since being acquired from the Washington Wizards last week. The belief is that Hachimura will eventually start alongside James and Davis, but that will have to wait. In the short term, Hachimura should get a boost in fantasy value with a move to the starting unit.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura was recently traded from the Washington Wizards but was unable to play in their game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Head coach Darvin Ham said that Hachimura would "definitely be available to play" in their contest against the San Antonio Spurs. This would affect Wenyen Gabriel and Troy Brown Jr. the most in terms of fantasy value as it seems like the plan would be to have Hachimura eventually take over that starting spot.

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura has been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The Wizards will receive Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks in exchange for Hachimura. A good move by the Lakers to bring in another scoring option, which they desperately need. Hachimura is averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds off the bench with Washington this season. His fantasy value should be on the rise, assuming he plays a bigger role in Los Angeles. He's a restricted free agent this summer, so the Lakers will likely attempt to bring him back. As for Nunn, he didn't offer much value to the Lakers during his time there. He missed the entire 2021-2022 season and didn't bring much to the table this season. That being said, Nunn will probably have a more consistent role in Washington, but it's unlikely enough for him to have nightly fantasy value.

It wasn't a good day for many clubs around the National Basketball Association, with many teams dealing with unsettling injuries to their top players. Although these situations are always challenging for teams, fantasy managers are also left scrambling to find a replacement.This article will highlight some of the critical injuries that occurred on Saturday, January 21, 2023. At the same time, we will cover some players who were ruled out with a pre-existing ailment while examining which players have benefited.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

Marcus Smart Injury Update

The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum for Saturday's meeting with Toronto, as the MVP candidate got the day off to deal with wrist soreness. Luckily, the C's recently got Jaylen Brown back from a three-game layoff, so the team at least had its No. 2 scoring option. Boston also had Marcus Smart, who is proficient on both ends of the floor.Unfortunately, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year's evening didn't last long, as he exited in the first half after suffering a sprained right ankle. Smart has battled ankle injuries throughout his career, so fantasy managers are familiar with this.https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1616933981362028546?s=20&t=ADA6dM_t2muMcgq6cJRitwWhile X-ray results were encouraging, revealing no structural damage, he'll likely miss a game or two, possibly more. As a result, ... [More]

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura tallied a game-high 26 points off the bench in Sunday's easy 118-95 win over a depleted Milwaukee team. He nailed three shots from deep with five attempts and finished with 11-for-18 overall shooting in 32 minutes, adding four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Hachimura has only recently returned from injury, but getting back into rhythm hasn't caused problems for him at all, The Japanese ace did have only seven points in his comeback game against Utah, but he has averaged 21.4 points in five outings since then. With his season average standing at 13.6 points, Hachimura is currently clearly enjoying his best form of the campaign.

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura hit the 30-point mark for the third time in his career on Wednesday night. The former ninth-overall pick finished with 30 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block all while coming off of the bench and playing just 28 minutes. Hachimura shot 84.6% from the floor on 13 attempts and knocked down seven of his eight free-throw attempts. Unfortunately, he hasn't been very consistent for fantasy managers, but as long as he remains healthy, he should continue to get better in that department.

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (ankle) is in line to miss his sixth game in a row due to right ankle soreness. The 24-year-old hasn't exactly lived up to the hype that he received before last season and these ankle issues aren't going to help him prove any differently. While he's out, Kyle Kuzma and Will Barton will see more time and usage. Barton is likely to be on the waiver wire in more leagues. Managers that have Hachimura on the roster will just have to keep looking for any updates on his ankle.