Regardless of not having famous person LeBron James to begin the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are plugging alongside effectively because of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Reaves specifically has stepped up in a serious manner, even dropping a career-high 51 factors in opposition to 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 because of Reaves. That recreation highlights a possible path ahead for the Lakers, who’ve championship aspirations, however provided that LeBron is wholesome.
Nonetheless, in accordance with CBS’s Sam Quinn, as soon as absolutely wholesome, LeBron ought to shift into a brand new position, not as a co-star to Doncic however as a 3rd possibility behind each Doncic and Reaves.
I believe the very best model of this Laker group is one by 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 power 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 may be Luka’s long-term operating mate, they usually can construct this group across the two of them.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 30, 2025
That shall be fairly the change for each LeBron and the Lakers since he has been the very best participant on their group for many of his seven years in Los Angeles. To Quinn’s level, nevertheless, Reaves is having a stellar season so far, together with having simply hit the sport winner in opposition to 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 evening. 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 in regards to the considered being a 3rd possibility for the primary time in his profession. However, he’s 40 years outdated.
This yr additionally may very well be LeBron’s ultimate season within the NBA, or at the least 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 possibility behind Doncic, which may very well be his long-term position with Los Angeles.
In any case, 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 position might hold him wholesome for what may very well be an extended postseason run. Another excuse is that the Lakers will nonetheless want LeBron in the event that they wish to win a championship, however they in all probability should not depend on him each recreation. As an alternative, if he can flip it on each different recreation 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 won’t sit effectively with him, however this can be his final season with the group and provides them their greatest probability to win.
