When James was sidelined or rested due to injury, Ham basically used Hachimura to top up.
Illustrative point 1: Substitution. Hachimura averaged 11.3 points per game off the bench and shot 55.7% from the field.
Note 2: Starter. When he started the game, Hachimura averaged 16.7 points per game and shot 67.1% from the field.
Statistically, Hachimura is more efficient in starting than when he came off the bench, potentially filling the void left by James' absence to a certain extent.
In addition, like James, Hachimura also has the ability to hold the shot. The difference is that the latter comes more from the middle distance.
In terms of data, Hachimura accounted for 8.1% of mid-range shots and 47.1% of his shots. For comparison, Durant 53.6%, Leonard 54.2%, DeRozan 55.2%. Through comparison, Hachimura's mid-shot rate still reaches the superstar level.
With a holding shot, especially a mid-range shot that is more difficult to defend, for the Lakers, when the team is in a scoring drought, they can use Hachimura to "break the ice". Just like G3 against the Nuggets in the West last season.
In addition, Hachimura accounted for 14.8% of the defensive rounds and limited opponents to 50% shooting. For example, under 6 minutes and 39 seconds against Downs, he is limited to 1 of 7 shots.
To sum up, despite his good performances on both offensive and defensive ends, Hachimura has played more as a substitute so far this season. Even, there are still chips in potential trader candidates such as LaVine and Murray. I don't think it's hard to understand this.
Reason 1: Contract. In the offseason, Hachimura and the Lakers signed a three-year, $51 million contract. The average salary is 17 million, plus it has a certain amount of immediate combat power, which is still very cost-effective.
Reason 2: Prince. Since joining the Lakers, he has basically sat firmly in the starter. In fact, as you can see in the chart below, Prince is averaging 13.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game since the Spurs.
The data of 13+4 can be said to be very efficient compared to the average of 9.2 shots per game. Regarding the data, it should be noted that:
Explanation point 1: three points. Shooting 81.5%, 45.3% three-point rate, and 3.4 shots per game.
Illustrative point two: Defense. During the same period, Prince's opposition defense can suppress opponent shooting percentage from 51.6% to 47.9%.
In summary, Prince showed good 3-and-D (three-point, defense) potential. In fact, it seems to me that Prince can be considered a low-profile version of Bridges. What I mean: Prince and Bridges both have 3D attributes, but there is a gap in efficiency with the latter.
The low-profile version reflects similar features, but there is a gap in efficiency. By the way, Bridges is now a core player for the Nets and has been selected for the U.S. men's basketball team.
Finally, after congratulating the Lakers on welcoming Prince as a 3-and-D forward, I also wish Hachimura good luck. To be precise, I hope the latter will continue to perform well. Otherwise, with Prince, LaVine, Murray and other reinforcement candidates in the front, Hachimura is likely to leave the team.
Here, I wish Hachimura better and better.