When the Los Angeles Lakers found out LeBron James was slated to miss a big chunk of the start to 2025-26, it was an absolute given that Austin Reaves would step into the role of secondary star behind Luka Doncic. The quietly interesting question was who becomes the third scoring option.
Anyone thinking Rui Hachimura would get the honors had justification in that thought. In all fairness to those people, the Lakers forward has been tremendous, closely trailing behind at fourth in both the points per game and field goals attempted per game.
The real answer to the original question has been Deandre Ayton. The Lakers starting center has quietly enjoyed a really strong start to his time in Los Angeles, to the point that the ceiling of the team is quickly beginning to heavily involve him.
Reintegrating James back into the lineup, and the offense, will be a major pivot for the Lakers. Ensuring that process does not slow down Ayton too much will be just as important.
LeBron and the Lakers must continue prioritizing Ayton's offense
To be clear, the conversation here is not about James ruining anything. The aging superstar already made everyone who thought that would be the case look incredibly silly after just one outing.
James even helped Ayton deliver a strong 20-point double-double in the decisive 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz. LeBron dished out 12 assists in the victory, with four of those heading in Ayton's direction. The Lakers center even had jokes about the lob pass that came his way, specifically.
All 12 LeBron James assists pic.twitter.com/ePQJkDGfR6
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) November 19, 2025
"Some of these passes, I didn’t even know he seen me cut,” Ayton said after the game. “Just being at the right place, the right time, he’s finding you right away with sharp passes. He’s making your life easy.”
James has always been elite at elevating the centers he plays with offensively. That should be a major priority for his reintegration back into the offense.
Ayton has been criticized at previous stops of his career for his lack of assertiveness. The Lakers cannot allow those habits and concerns to surface again. This is something that everyone is keeping a watchful eye for, according to ESPN.
Dave McMenamin wrote, "Ayton's learning curve and his relationship with the Lakers' veteran star is just one of the ripple effects those sources will be watching as James returns to form."
When speaking to 10 people inside and outside the Lakers organization, that aspect could not be ignored for McMenamin, and it shouldn't be for anyone. Mind you James has already said it himself, fitting in with any roster on the planet is not a concern for him.
Ayton's continued success would mean the Lakers do not have to worry about the starting center position for the rest of the season. James should know that, and the all-time great should be a big part of helping the promising start continue.