Lakers Insider: Team Source Rejected Idea of Rui Hachimura Trade Ahead of Deadline

As the Feb. 6 trade deadline quickly approaches, it sounds like the Los Angeles Lakers aren't willing to give up a key member of their rotation.

During an appearance on Buha's Block, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times said he spoke to a team source who expressed doubt over the possibility of starting wing Rui Hachimura being traded by this season's deadline.

"I spoke to a Lakers source about this where I was talking about a trade that involves Rui Hachimura going out in the trade and they're like, 'I don't know, Rui's pretty good,'" Woike said around the 49:33 mark.

Hachimura has started all 36 of his appearances this season and is averaging 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from beyond the arc. The 26-year-old still has room to grow, so it's easy to understand why Los Angeles isn't ready to ship him away just yet.

However, it's no secret that the Lakers are hoping to add talent before the trade deadline in hopes of vaulting to title contender status. At 23-18, Los Angeles ranks first in the Pacific Division but fifth in the Western Conference.

With Hachimura seemingly off the table, the Lakers could have a hard time acquiring the type of player they would need to improve their roster enough to contend for a title.