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DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to play at a high level consistently this season. Part of that has been the injuries that they have had to deal with. LeBron James missed the first month of the season with sciatica. Austin Reaves missed a significant chunk of time, as well.
With Luka Doncic on the floor with those two players, the numbers have not been great. Los Angeles is tied for fifth in the Western Conference standings with the Nuggets. With Doncic and Reaves out there, the numbers support that the team is being better.
One NBA analyst believes that the Lakers are a better team without James and thinks they are better off with just Doncic and Reaves on the roster.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James passes the ball. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
NBA Analyst Believes Lakers Are Better Without LeBron James
While speaking on First Take on ESPN, Brian Windhorst believes that LA is better with James off the floor. He did preface this by saying it’s not a commentary on LeBron.
“This is not a commentary on LeBron. But when LeBron doesn’t play, and Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic do, the Lakers are a better team. Now, JJ Redick might say to you, ‘Give me more time, we’re getting better with that trio.’ The numbers say that that is true. However, the numbers say that when Luka and Reaves play together, the Lakers are a really good team.”
Windhorst claims that when all three play, they are a below-average team. He’s right that the numbers do support that claim. Of course, Los Angeles is going to keep trying to get it to work with all three on the court at the same time. That is the best way for them to win a title.
Redick and the players have had to answer questions about this for the last few weeks. They have won five of their last six games, with the only loss coming to Denver. Of course, it’s up to Redick to find a way to get all three to play together well enough so they can win in the playoffs.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a lay-up. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Might Find Out What Life is Like Without James Soon
James has a player option for next season. He might not decide to return. In fact, those around the league seem to believe that it’s almost a sure thing that he plays for a team other than the Lakers in 2026-27. LA has already started building the team around Doncic.
This year, the Lakers have the ninth-best offense in the league. That number has steadily increased in the last week or so. With all three on the court, they need to get that number into the top-five when the playoffs start if they want to have any shot of winning it all.
James is still one of the best players the league, but he doesn’t play at the pace the rest of the team is built to play at.