JJ Redick said the Los Angeles Lakers are at their best when LeBron James is the team's third-highest-used player.
The Los Angeles Lakers may be entering a new phase with 41-year-old superstar LeBron James embracing a third-option role this season, playing behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Head coach JJ Redick has now openly acknowledged that this shift benefits the team.
"He's still going to be, and still has been, a high-usage player relative to your average player. The best thing for our team is being the third-highest-used player," Redick said. "Obviously, there's been stretches of the year where he's had to do more with injuries or guys being out of the lineup."
Despite the adjusted role, Redick emphasized that James remains elite in transition.
"Just continue to be the best transition player in the NBA," the coach added.
The Lakers have thrived regardless, posting a 17-7 record in games without James and sitting at 43-25 overall, good for third place in the Western Conference.
They've also won nine of their last ten games, including a recent three-game stretch without LeBron that featured statement wins over the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
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