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Will Rui Hachimura regain his starting spot when he returns to the Wizards?

By Jamal Bedell

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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After practicing this past week, Rui Hachimura will soon return to the Wizards. Will he still be a starter once he returns?

Washington Wizards forward, Rui Hachimura, has missed the entire start of the 2021-2022 season. On September 25th, they announced Hachimura would miss an undisclosed amount of time for personal reasons. They did not release specifics.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1441818125570396164?s=20

If a player steps away from the game he loves, then you know it must be something serious. It’s comforting as an athlete when you know your franchise is behind you, and the Wizards have been supporting their former 1st round pick by not rushing him back into action. Re-integrating Rui slowly is the best way to go about it.

There’s no question, playing basketball again with his brothers will surely be nice, though. Rui Hachimura was a full-participant in practice with the Wizards this past Tuesday, November 23rd.

https://twitter.com/ChaseHughesNBCS/status/1463203760893841414?s=20

It was a sight to see because this was Rui’s 1st time all season practicing in full with his Wizards teammates. The last time fans had seen Rui dribble a basketball was this past summer when he was tearing it up for the Japan National Team at the Olympics. In 3 games, Rui averaged 22.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2.2 APG while shooting 38.1% from three.

His aggressiveness and elite shot-making for Japan were all the things the Wizards envisioned when they selected him 9th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Of course, Rui would love the same opportunities he once had with the Wizards, but with more depth, that may be impossible. The Olympics was just a glimpse of what could be. His arrival to the squad may have come later than expected, but he will instantly boost a 12-7 Wizards team. Washington has jumped out to a great start, as they currently sit 4th in the Eastern Conference Standings.

Even though they’ve now lost 4 out of their last 6 games, the Washington Wizards are proving they can easily be a playoff team in the East this year. They still have yet to play their best ball if you ask me! Beal is still looking to get back into form, only shooting 42.8% from the field and a career-low 26.9% from the three point line to start the year. Spencer Dinwiddie is trying to find his fit with the team as well. He’s averaging a solid 14.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 5.1 RPG but he’s sitting out the 2nd half of backs to backs as a precaution since an ACL injury caused him to miss all of last season.

The Washington Wizards will need their entire crew together to stay atop the Eastern Conference.

All of former GM and current President Tommy Sheppard new pickups this offseason have fared well down in the District. The return on the Russell Westbrook trade looks amazing. Montrezl Harrell is looking like a 6th man-of-the-year candidate, averaging a ridiculous 16.9 PPG and 8.8 RPG off the bench. Both Kyle Kuzma & Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has brought that gritty, championship-mentality toughness that the Wizards lacked desperately. Aaron Holiday has even had his moments.

Their overall depth has been the biggest key to their success to start the year. So without a doubt, the return of their starting forward Rui Hachimura will only add to that.

The only question is, will Rui be starting when he returns to the lineup?

Wes Unseld Jr. may not want to rock the boat as a first-year head coach. However, Rui Hachimura has started in all the 105 games he’s played in. What he provides for the starting five is invaluable.

His ability to match up against the other team’s best player nightly will only improve the Wizard’s 7th ranked defense (105.0 defensive rating). Rui will benefit from playing in an offensive system that’s predicated more on ball movement. Washington’s offense was heavily reliant on Beal these past few seasons, but Wes Unseld Jr. has come in and installed a totally different system. Rui will have a lot more opportunities on the offensive end, so he just needs to take advantage and showcase his skills. He can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways, so he’ll definitely flourish under this new staff.

I believe the coaches will put Rui in the best position to succeed. Coach Wes Unseld Jr. may decide to bring Rui off the bench as he gets back into game shape. Rui Hachimura is a starter for this Washington Wizards team when healthy and everyone knows that. The key question that will need to be answered once he returns is, who’s moving to the bench from the current starting five?

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