Lakers must face the LeBron James gut punch they can’t ignore any longer

Regardless of not having celebrity LeBron James to start out the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are plugging alongside effectively due to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Reaves specifically has stepped up in a significant manner, even dropping a career-high 51 factors towards the Sacramento Kings whereas the Lakers had been short-handed.

They had been lacking each LeBron and Doncic however nonetheless ended up with a win due to Reaves. That sport highlights a possible path ahead for the Lakers, who’ve championship aspirations, however provided that LeBron is wholesome.

Nonetheless, in keeping with CBS’s Sam Quinn, as soon as absolutely wholesome, LeBron ought to shift into a brand new function, not as a co-star to Doncic however as a 3rd choice behind each Doncic and Reaves.

I believe the most effective model of this Laker workforce is one through which Austin is the second-leading scorer and genuinely competes for an All-Star slot whereas LeBron lowers his personal scoring to round 18-20 an evening whereas focusing extra of his personal vitality on protection. https://t.co/zEkp7heTO1

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 27, 2025

You actually cannot overstate the significance of Austin Reaves breaking out like this. He is proving that he is extra than simply bait for the subsequent star. He might be Luka’s long-term operating mate, they usually can construct this workforce across the two of them.

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 30, 2025

That can be fairly the change for each LeBron and the Lakers since he has been the most effective participant on their workforce for many of his seven years in Los Angeles. To Quinn’s level, nonetheless, Reaves is having a stellar season so far, together with having simply hit the sport winner towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This week is reaching Linsanity ranges for Austin Reaves. Let the Reavesvolution proceed.

He hits the sport winner on the buzzer to elevate L.A. to 116-115 victory in MIN.

28 pts and 16 ast on the night time. pic.twitter.com/tkvXMb5xyP

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 30, 2025

The Lakers should construct round Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

Contemplating that LeBron seems to have points with the Lakers’ entrance workplace, he will not be too happy concerning the considered being a 3rd choice for the primary time in his profession. Nonetheless, he’s 40 years outdated.

This 12 months additionally might be LeBron’s ultimate season within the NBA, or not less than his ultimate season with the Lakers. That’s the reason Los Angeles ought to take Quinn’s recommendation by pulling the set off on making Reaves their second choice behind Doncic, which might be his long-term function with Los Angeles.

In spite of everything, assuming they can re-sign him, he and Doncic might type a stellar offensive backcourt for years to come back. Getting a bounce begin on that by focusing extra on these two and fewer on LeBron is smart.

For one, having LeBron play a lesser function might maintain him wholesome for what might be an extended postseason run. One more reason is that the Lakers will nonetheless want LeBron in the event that they need to win a championship, however they in all probability should not depend on him each sport. As an alternative, if he can flip it on each different sport and several other instances throughout a playoff run, then he might maybe be extra impactful.

All instructed, the Lakers should take into account reorienting their offense round Doncic and Reeves with LeBron taking a again seat upon his return. It may not sit effectively with him, however this can be his final season with the workforce and provides them their greatest likelihood to win.

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