Rob Pelinka confirms that Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Gabe Vincent are healthy for training camp
During his media day interview, Rob Pelinka revealed that Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Gabe Vincent are ready for Lakers training camp.
With Christian Wood out for weeks due to arthroscopic surgery and Jarred Vanderbilt recovering from procedures on his feet, there hasn’t been much good news on the injury front from the Lakers.
On Wednesday, vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka gave fans some good news: Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Gabe Vincent are all healthy and cleared for training camp.
Rob Pelinka said that Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino are all cleared for training camp.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 25, 2024
Hachimura has had the most recent injury issues, hurting his calf during the Olympic games while representing Japan.
Calf injuries can last a long time and are tricky to recover from fully, so it’s good he’s entering training camp with a clean bill of health.
Last season, Hachimura averaged 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game and coach JJ Redick has already named him a starter on this team.
Vincent was never healthy last year, playing in just eleven games, so having him ready gives Redick a rotational player that was missing and needed on this roster last season.
Now that he’s healthy, perhaps we can see him as a reliable shooter for the Lakers. His career average is just 33% from deep, but he averaged 36% back in 2022 when he was a member of the Miami Heat.
Hood-Schifino had about as bad of a rookie season as one can have. He was hurt most of the year due to a back injury that ultimately needed surgery.
Due to his recovery, he also missed Summer League action, so we haven’t seen him play professionally since March.
With Pelinka stating he’s ready from the start of training camp, we can now see what his potential is and whether a backup guard role is possible for the young player.
Redick has already stated that Hood-Schifino has had a “great summer,” but of course, take that with a grain of salt. It’s not like he would publicly disclose if he were struggling and looking suspect as an NBA player.
Still, health is wealth; ideally, the Lakers will have fewer injuries in 2025 than in 2024.
This trio being ready is a good start. Hopefully, Pelinka’s optimism regarding Vanderbilt being available for the start of the regular season will come true and the injury report will have fewer names on it when the games that matter begin in October.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.