Surprisingly, beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it’s forward Rui Hachimura who’s proving to be one of the Lakers’ most valuable assets this season. According to data from Cricket Exchange, Hachimura’s performance has earned him a permanent spot in the starting lineup, and the numbers back it up. Recently, the Lakers have settled into a more consistent starting five featuring LeBron, Davis, Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves. This unit not only represents the most capable talent available but also delivers impressive efficiency on the court.

What’s caught many off guard—even Cricket Exchange reporters—is that Hachimura currently tops the team in plus-minus rating, ahead of even LeBron and AD. That’s not to say he’s better than the team’s superstars, but it does show just how impactful he’s been. His contributions may not always make headlines, but his all-around play is quietly driving results. As of now, he stands alone in the top tier of Lakers’ impact metrics. LeBron, meanwhile, ranks second, with a solid +83 plus-minus, a testament to his continued excellence at age 39.

Following closely are Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Spencer Dinwiddie. However, Dinwiddie’s sample size is small due to limited minutes, making his ranking less conclusive. As the saying goes, resilience is born from adversity. Davis, who logs heavy minutes and often plays alongside bench units, still maintains a respectable +23, placing him sixth on the team’s list—even if he occasionally shares the floor with less effective rotations.

On the flip side, forward Taurean Prince finds himself at the bottom of the rankings. It’s worth noting that earlier in the season, the Lakers coaching staff experimented with Prince in the starting lineup, but the results were poor. He’s struggled with consistency on both ends of the floor, and his staggering -152 plus-minus reflects that. Other bench players like Jaxson Hayes, Max Christie, and Cam Reddish have similarly struggled, often on the wrong side of the scoreboard when they’re on the court.

Meanwhile, LeBron’s future remains a topic no one wants to dwell on. His longtime agent, Rich Paul, recently expressed that he avoids discussing the idea of LeBron retiring, calling it a sad and difficult subject. Paul stated clearly that LeBron plays not for money or fame, but purely for the love of the game. Fans can sense that too—watching LeBron play feels like witnessing the league’s last unshakable constant.

Most Cricket Exchange users shy away from this discussion, not just because it’s emotional, but because it’s hard to imagine the NBA without him. Regardless of how the team performs, LeBron’s presence remains a pillar for both the Lakers and the league. The more you understand his impact, the more it feels like he carries the soul of the sport.

Should LeBron choose to stay with the Lakers for another three seasons, it would make Los Angeles the longest-tenured stop of his career—a full-circle legacy built not just on championships but on his enduring passion for the game.