As Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James nears his season debut, the dynamic around him has changed. Luka Doncic has become the clear-cut No. 1 option in Los Angeles, as most expected him to be, but it's Austin Reaves who has created an obstacle James has somehow never encountered.
Based on factors such as age, contract status, and the general future of the franchise, James is soon to be asked to play a role he never has: That of a third option.
James is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players in NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is the Association's all-time leading scorer, one of its most prolific passers, a nightly threat for a triple-double, and a well-rounded defender.
For as complete as his game may be, not enough can be said about how the road ahead of him projects to consist of challenges he's never truly encountered.
James has either been a clear-cut No. 1 option or a co-star during every one of his 22 NBA seasons. Even in 2024-25, he was the still the primary ball-handler, playmaker, and scoring threat along the perimeter with Anthony Davis, and a co-star with Luka Doncic.
With Reaves emerging as a true second option, however, James will now have to find a way to impact winning without deterring Reaves from playing with an assertive mentality.
LeBron James as a third option is a new but essential Lakers challenge
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Los Angeles has hit the ground running in 2025-26, getting off to a 6-2 start. They've done so [with historically significant balance](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-historically-balanced-rotation-fans-thinking-championship), becoming the first franchise since 1972 to have six different players score at least 20 points within a team's first eight games.
James will likely bring the tally up to at least seven players scoring 20 points in a single game for the Lakers in 2025-26, but there's a bigger conversation at play.
James is an all-time great facilitator and scorer, but the Lakers don't necessarily need him to play extensively on the ball. The balance of the rotation has been Los Angeles' biggest strength thus far, with Doncic and Reaves combining to dominate as scorers and playmakers.
James becoming a top-tier third option would undoubtedly improve the Lakers on paper, but there's a fair reason to question if it's a role he's instantly suited for.
James hasn't posted a usage rate below 28.5 since his rookie season in 2003-04—when he was barely below the mark at 27.6. Beyond the numbers, he's always been a player who primarily functions with the ball in his hands.
By no fault of his own, the Lakers would simply struggle to justify having a third high-volume player if the goal is to continue utilizing a full rotation of quality contributors.
Can Austin Reaves remain assertive with LeBron in high-usage role?
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It's at least somewhat fair to question whether or not Reaves would remain assertive with Doncic and James flanking him. James is one of the most efficient players in NBA history, which could cause Reaves to be reluctant to shoot if he isn't at the top of his game.
Logical a decision as that would be, the Lakers need Reaves to be empowered to shoot through his cold stretches as he prepares for a franchise-altering 2026 period of free agency.
Reaves is off to a superstar start, but the Lakers need to determine if he can sustain his All-NBA level of play across a full season. That means overcoming the pressure a No. 2 faces on a nightly basis and showing how he'll respond without a 40-year-old safety net that may not be in place as soon as next season.
As such, determining what type of player Reaves truly is when the chips are down will be essential to determining the ideal next salary and role for him.
Thankfully, James shot 42.0 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2024-25 and an absurd 47.3 percent in 2023-24. That implies he can thrive in an off-ball capacity, which may be ideal for him during the regular season as he paces himself in preparation for the playoffs.
No one will lose sleep if James is dominating and gets the touches to support it, but the Lakers' top priority must be [developing the Doncic and Reaves duo](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-have-quietly-turned-into-undeniable-championship-contenders)—and that means a new role is en route.