Oh, to be LeBron James. It may have taken until just over a month out from his 41st birthday, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is finally in the type of position that someone of his age should have enjoyed for years.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer has carried a sizeable offensive load during his time in Los Angeles. It is one that should have properly decreased in recent years, but has remained largely stable for the most part.
James has posted a usage percentage of 31.3 with the Lakers. That is about on par with his career mark in that category, where the Lakers superstar has registered 31.5 overall. LeBron has averaged 26.6 points and 8.1 assists per game over the last seven seasons in Los Angeles, delivering a true shooting percentage of 60.1.
It's not that James has been incapable of carrying this kind of responsibility. It is that he should not have to.
With the on-court start to his 23rd season right around the corner, James has earned the right to conserve himself offensively until the postseason in favor of filling holes elsewhere. This year with the Lakers, the all-time great should finally have that set up for him.
LeBron James can focus on being a defensive leader for Los Angeles
James participated in practice with Los Angeles for the first time on Monday. After the fact, Dave McMenamin of ESPNreported the aging superstar was officially listed as questionable to make his season debut on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz.
Whether he does or does not, once James finally takes the court for the Lakers this season, the team needs him much more on the defensive end in 2025-26 than they do on offense.
That's not to say LeBron will not have an impact on offense. Last year's All-NBA Second Team member should play the part of a great stabilizing force. His presence will only create more opportunities for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with defenses being forced to respect one of the best basketball minds the game has ever seen.
The larger task for his basketball IQ will be serving as the guiding hand to help get his teammates organized on defense. It was something James did well in 2024-25. The four-time champion enjoyed a renaissance on that end which many oddly omit when discussing last season.
"My voice is already gone," James told McMenamin after his first practice. "One day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff, getting my voice working again. [There will] be a lot of tea and rest tonight."
The Lakers are caught right in the middle of the pack right now, ranking 15th when it comes to defensive rating. Having someone who can step in, make smart switches, bring the right type of help, get players into position, and play solid individual defense of his own should go a long way to elevating the Lakers even higher.