The Lakers Might Be More Dangerous Without LeBron James

When LeBron James misses time this season, Austin Reaves’ numbers are off the charts. James has missed 16 games this season. In those 16 games, Reaves averages 28 points per game and nearly eight assists.

Reaves’ ability to handle the ball and space the floor with his solid three-point shooting of nearly 36% makes him a threat to any opponent. That, however, is hindered when James is on the floor because they play the same way. Both are dominant ball handlers who can create for their teammates.

In fact, Luka Doncic, Reaves, and James all play similar roles. They are most effective with the ball in their hands. The issue is that when three of them are on the court at the same time, it doesn’t work. Los Angeles’ net rating with James/Reaves/Doncic is -9.7.

In contrast, when it is Doncic/Reaves, the net rating is +19.3. James with Doncic without Reaves is -3.9, and he with Reaves alone is -4.2. It seems like James has inadvertently become a bit of a hindrance to Los Angeles’ success. To top it all off, the purple and gold are 9-2 when only Reaves and Doncic play. together.

One thing the Lakers can do is have the four-time MVP come off the bench. It would allow Reaves and Doncic to take control of the first team, and James could command the second unit. That works well in a perfect world, but with egos and James’ particular stature in the elite, it may not be easy to pitch that idea to him.

The Lakers Need To Look Ahead

The numbers tell a lot of the story. Doncic’s and Reaves’ play tells the rest of the story. The team, this offseason, needs to let go of James and fully build around those two players.

Right now, the team is in an awkward spot. Los Angeles is trying to build around the youngsters while trying to fit a team that works well with James. There’s a reason this team lacks a clear identity.

All the good teams have an identity. The Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be relentless defensively and play through their MVP on offense. The San Antonio Spurs are going to play team basketball on the offensive end and let Victor Wembanyama anchor the defense.

The Lakers don’t know what they are. They are a good offense, and the defense is downright atrocious at times. There is no one aspect of the game that the team excels at because they are trying to satisfy the old legend while trying to build around the new one.

The way Doncic and Reaves played in these last two games should make it a top priority to focus the team around them. This team looked dead in the water for months, and then they win back-to-back games against contenders, and you think, wait, there’s something special brewing in Los Angeles.

End Of My Los Angeles Lakers Rant

This article was not intended to knock James as a player. What he’s done for the game of basketball in his 23 years is undeniable. It’s just that if the Lakers want to win games at the rate their fans are used to, it can no longer be with the four-time champion.

No team is built to handle three ball-dominant players. One of them has to give, and it can’t be one of the young guys. If James is not willing to come off the bench, then Los Angeles needs to do whatever they can to move on from him.

Respect and appreciate everything James has done for the franchise, and it’s time to begin a new regime in the purple and gold.