What Rui Hachimura’s return means for the Washington Wizards

Rui Hachimura hasn’t played since mid-December, but is expected to make his return on Monday. What does it mean for the Washington Wizards?

Possibly the lone silver lining to the Washington Wizards 2019-2020 campaign was their rookie Rui Hachimura, who’s played some excellent basketball. Over his 25 games played this season, the forward is averaging 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

But his rookie campaign was cut short when he suffered a groin injury back in December, that’s lead to him missing 23 games now.

Thankfully, Hachimura has recovered and rehabbed well, and will be returning to the floor to finish his rookie year. Per Fred Katz of The Athletic, he’s not listed on the injury report for Monday’s game. Here’s a look at what his return to the lineup means for this Washington Wizards team.

(More) All-Star Weekend Representation

When the NBA announced it’s Rising Stars challenge rosters, they did so with an asterisk atop because so many of the players listed were likely questionable for the event with an injury. Questions started flying about who would actually play and who would replace those who won’t.

Well, don’t worry about Washington’s representation. Hachimura joins Moritz Wagner on the World Team roster for the Rising Stars Challenge and both are expected to suit up.

For both the Wizards’ rookie and the league, having him active is huge for the league’s global ambitions. As you all know, Hachimura is Japanese, and has already amassed a large international following for the Washington Wizards this season.

His availability for the All-Star weekend gives both his team and his country more representation on one of the NBA’s grandest stages.

Continuing ‘the Process’

It’s hard to tell what Washington’s future holds.

Next year, they’ll be potentially signing Dāvis Bertāns back to the roster, and see John Wall return to finish what he started so many years ago in Washington: playing for a championship.

But if all that goes astray in a hurry, then the Washington Wizards will always be able to fall back on their young talent: Troy Brown Jr, Thomas Bryant, this year’s nameless draft pick, and of course Hachimura.

Having him back in the fold and back on the floor continues the process of developing that young talent, and preparing for a future without Wall or Bradley Beal. And it gives the fans something to keep an eye on as the season draws to an end.

Because let’s be honest: while they’re a fun team, it’s been hard to watch the Washington Wizards this year.

Playoffs? TBD

While it may sound a bit unrealistic, having Hachimura back gives Beal some more firepower. Washington’s shooting guard has been carrying almost the entire team for what seems like a month with only one end goal in mind: making the postseason.

Beal has been to the playoffs four of his seven completed seasons in the league. And he’s hoping to get back this season despite how far the odds are stacked against the Wizards.

Hachimura has already proven himself as a scorer and rebounder. He just needs some polishing on what are completely normal and natural rookie adjustments and tendencies. Nonetheless, he adds another weapon to a Wizards arsenal in dire need of more firepower.

Ahead of Monday’s game with Golden State, Washington is the Eastern Conference 10th seed, at 17-31 on the season. That puts them just three and a half games back of the Orlando Magic, who currently sit as the East’s eighth seed.

Things could get interesting in their upcoming stretch…