The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling right now despite being without star LeBron James. Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves have more than held down the fort in his absence, with the Lakers enjoying a 6-3 start. However, LeBron is expected back by the end of the month and could mess up what the Lakers have going.
That could mean LeBron immediately comes and tries to be the second option, even though he has yet to play during what will be his 23rd season. That should give Lakers fans pause, considering just how well Doncic and Reaves have played this season.
The Lakers can’t risk LeBron James sabotaging their season
Having Reeves take a backseat to LeBron risks throwing the Lakers into chaos. After all, it’s going to take LeBron some time to work his way back into a rhythm, with him having not played an NBA game since May of last season. That six-month layoff would normally be a great thing for a 40-year-old.
However, LeBron showed signs of aging last season, and he will be dealing with sciatica when he returns. That problem just doesn’t go away, and he may not be able to consistently produce like a second option even though he might take enough shots to be considered one.
That should be something that coach JJ Redick tries to avoid. After all, while LeBron is an all-time great player, this is likely his final season with the Lakers and perhaps in the NBA. Reaves clearly is the future of the Lakers, with him emerging as a worthy second option behind Dončić.
LeBron James must embrace being the Lakers’ third star
Instead, LeBron’s role should be that of a third option, one who can score 25 points in any given game but isn’t relied on to do so. With Doncic averaging 30 points and Reaves averaging 25, if they can have LeBron return and average at least 20 in more of a complementary role, then Los Angeles would be in a perfect position to contend.
After all, not many teams can say that their three best players combine to average 73 points on excellent efficiency. I don’t care who the other seven players are that they put alongside those three; Los Angeles could be a nightmare to stop this season. But only if LeBron recognizes that his role with the Lakers has changed.
LeBron has never been a selfish player, but superstars don’t normally have to make those types of sacrifices. If he wants to win a championship in what could be his final season with the Lakers and in the NBA, he will have to try to fit in upon his return.
If he doesn’t, then Los Angeles could be worse off. They would have to hope that LeBron can still dial it up and play like a superstar, even though he’s the oldest player in the NBA.
