Rui Hachimura gave fans a rare and candid glimpse into his growing bond with Luka Doncic, offering a mix of humor, respect, and genuine chemistry that’s been developing since the superstar guard’s shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
Speaking about their relationship, Rui described it as both playful and productive, the kind of partnership that’s translating from locker-room laughs to on-court synergy.
“It’s fine, you know, it’s just being around, we’re always messing around with each other. But yeah, I think for him, I always forget that he’s younger than me. He’s like 25, right? 26? I’m 27, so. But he’s been in the league for a while, you know, he’s been around a lot longer than me.”
“He teaches me a lot of stuff he always wants to communicate with me about what he wants me to do on the floor when he’s doing this or that, those kinds of things. And then we also talk about fun stuff, you know, random stuff.”
“We talk about his country, Serbia, he loves Serbian music, so we always talk about how bad Serbian music is. And I always listen to Afrobeats, so he’s always trying to say that Afrobeats is bad, so I’m trying to compete, you know.”
I asked Rui Hachimura about his relationship with Luka Doncic. His reaction was priceless. 😂 #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/4f43PbysQl
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) October 7, 2025
The age difference may be small, but Rui clearly sees Luka as a veteran presence, someone who has already experienced almost everything the NBA can throw at a young star. Hachimura admitted that Luka often takes the lead in communication, emphasizing constant dialogue about where Rui should position himself and how to complement Doncic’s playmaking brilliance.
No one really takes into account the chemistry Luka and Rui have had since day one. It could easily influence the front office’s decision regarding Rui’s contract situation.pic.twitter.com/BvFjIi70A5
— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) September 30, 2025
That mix of professionalism and friendship has quickly made the two one of the Lakers’ most intriguing duos heading into the 2025–26 season. While Luka commands the ball and the tempo, Rui has quietly become one of his favorite secondary options, a reliable finisher and midrange threat who spaces the floor and defends multiple positions.
Off the court, though, the pair’s dynamic is far less serious and a lot more entertaining. Rui laughed while explaining their ongoing “music war.”
That lighthearted exchange says a lot about their friendship. It’s a balance of mutual respect and playful rivalry, the kind of connection that often defines strong locker rooms. Doncic, despite being the new face of the franchise alongside LeBron James, has clearly found comfort in his teammates, with Rui being one of his closest allies since arriving in L.A.
Luka clearly loves Rui pic.twitter.com/zA0E9cqRnf
— 八村王子🇯🇵 (@OujiHachimura) October 1, 2025
For the Lakers, that camaraderie could be invaluable. As the team prepares for another deep playoff push, chemistry between their stars and role players may determine how far they go. And for Rui, building that trust with Luka is not just about fitting in; it’s about growing alongside one of the best players in the world.
If their easy laughter and constant communication are any indication, the foundation for that partnership is already in place, one built on mutual respect, cultural banter, and the shared pursuit of a championship.
