Rui Hachimura makes a bold prediction for the Lakers in the 2023-24 season

One of the most anticipated players the fans want to see with the team this season is the Japanese wing Rui Hachimura who worked all the offseason without stopping with assistant coach Phil Handy and became LeBron James' understudy.

Hachimura is one of the players that the LA Lakers had a priority of bringing back at the start of the offseason, as they changed past years' strategy and are now betting on continuity.

With what the team was capable of doing after the trade deadline, becoming one of the best defensive teams, then with what GM Rob Pelinka did this offseason, Hachimura has made a bold prediction, as he sees a lot of potential in the group's defensive game.

Rui Hachimura opened up on the Lakers' potential on defense: “I think we can be the No. 1 defense in the league.” For the Japanese wing, LA can become the league's best defense this season as the energy has been high for them.

Rui Hachimura became LeBron James' understudy

This offseason, Rui Hachimura tagged along with LeBron James this summer to work out alongside the Lakers star and didn't stop, this has raised the expectation for the team ahead of a new campaign.