LeBron James’ Reduced Role With Los Angeles Lakers Sparks Debate as Luka Doncic Era Takes Shape

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially entered a new chapter in the 2025–26 NBA season. With Luka Doncic now serving as the franchise’s offensive engine, LeBron James’ role has noticeably decreased. The shift has reshaped the Lakers’ identity and sparked major debate about whether head coach JJ Redick should make an even bolder move — possibly bringing James off the bench.

Los Angeles envisioned a dynamic Big Three featuring Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. On paper, the trio gives the Lakers elite playmaking, shot creation, and basketball IQ. In reality, while the offense has flashed brilliance at times, the lineup’s overall production — especially against elite competition — has raised serious concerns.

Lakers Big Three: Strong Names, Mixed Results

When James, Doncic, and Reaves share the floor, the Lakers’ offensive rating sits at just 107.7. That number is surprisingly underwhelming for a lineup featuring two generational playmakers and a rising star scorer. Even more concerning, the team’s overall offensive rating (116.0) is 8.3 points higher than when the trio plays together.

The assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.78 further illustrates spacing and rhythm issues. While the three stars can create shots individually, the fit has not consistently translated into efficient team basketball.

According to NBA analyst Jovan Buha, the numbers suggest a hard truth: the Lakers may be better served staggering their stars rather than leaning into the traditional “Big Three” model.

On his podcast, Buha pointed out that the Lakers are 8-4 when their Big Three plays, but context matters. In that stretch, they faced top-tier Western Conference teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics — and lost all four matchups by double digits.

Those losses exposed defensive vulnerabilities and offensive stagnation against elite opponents.

Should JJ Redick Bench LeBron James?

The idea of bringing LeBron James off the bench would have been unthinkable just a few seasons ago. However, at this stage of his career, the question is no longer about legacy — it’s about fit and maximizing championship odds.

Redick faces a delicate balancing act. James remains one of the most intelligent and versatile players in the league, but his reduced defensive mobility has become more apparent. When paired with Doncic and Reaves — neither of whom is known as a defensive stopper — the Lakers can be exploited on that end of the floor.

The trio’s offensive ceiling has not been high enough to compensate for their defensive shortcomings. Against middle-tier teams, their talent often overwhelms opponents. Against contenders, weaknesses are magnified.

Benching James wouldn’t necessarily mean diminishing his impact. Instead, it could allow him to anchor second units, control tempo, and conserve energy for closing stretches. Staggering rotations could preserve offensive efficiency while improving defensive flexibility.

Still, the optics of such a move would be massive. James is not just a player — he is the face of an era.

Lakers’ Western Conference Position

At 34-22, the Lakers currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings. They are competitive but clearly a tier below the conference’s top four teams. If Los Angeles wants to secure home-court advantage or make a legitimate championship run, incremental adjustments may not be enough.

The Western Conference is loaded with athletic, defensively versatile teams that can switch across positions. The Lakers’ three-guard-heavy structure often struggles in those matchups.

Redick must determine whether loyalty to the Big Three concept outweighs statistical evidence suggesting a need for change.

LeBron James and Cavaliers Rumors Resurface

The Lakers have yet to be competitive with the Big 3 — let alone win — against the best teams this season pic.twitter.com/jFGdYzsZRT

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 24, 2026

Adding intrigue to the situation are rumors connecting James to a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. While nothing concrete has materialized, speculation intensified following James’ public comments about Cleveland’s aggressive trade deadline approach.

“They’re going for it,” James said, praising the Cavaliers’ acquisition of James Harden. He highlighted Harden’s ability to provide additional ball-handling and late-game shot creation alongside Donovan Mitchell.

James’ comments fueled conversation about whether a reunion could occur in the 2026 offseason. Cleveland appears to be building a win-now roster, and the franchise remains deeply tied to James’ legacy.

However, for now, his focus remains on navigating the Lakers’ evolving hierarchy.

Can the Lakers Make It Work?

The central issue isn’t whether James, Doncic, and Reaves are talented enough — they clearly are. The question is structural. Modern NBA contenders require two-way balance, lineup versatility, and defensive accountability.

If the Lakers continue posting a significantly lower offensive rating with their Big Three together, Redick may be forced to act. That decision could involve staggering minutes, adjusting closing lineups, or making the bold call to reduce James’ starting role.

The 2025-26 season represents a transitional phase for Los Angeles. Doncic has assumed control as the franchise cornerstone, and the roster must evolve accordingly.

Whether that evolution includes LeBron James embracing a sixth-man-style role remains to be seen. What is clear is that the current formula has limitations — especially against championship-caliber opponents.

If the Lakers want to move from playoff hopeful to legitimate title contender, tough decisions are coming.