LeBron James is no longer the Lakers’ best player. That’s exactly why they need him the most

Maybe this was it Los Angeles Lakers‘ front office plan all the time, with the All-Star LeBron James he debuted in the 2025-26 regular season, amid a successful start to a promising campaign, led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The The Lakers have won three straight games without Deandre Aytonand as James eases into the bullpen, with just one game down, Los Angeles is 11-4.

With nearly 20% of the 82-game regular season under way, the Lakers have proven to LeBron and themselves that they can succeed without James. However, that’s not what will lead them to a battle with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers are hoping LeBron will be the player to lead them to the top in his 23rd NBA season.

The question on most Lakers fans this season: Is it enough?

It’s too early to tell. However, unlike James’ championship teams of the past, the Lakers aren’t relying heavily on LeBron to be their savior. Instead, they’re building a strong supporting cast, one where he doesn’t have to lead but could make the difference between a playoff berth and a spot in the Western Conference Finals.

James can still play at a very high level, as he proved in the league last season, averaging 24.4 points on 51.3% shooting, including a 37.6% three-point clip, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

This season, Luka Dončić is recording MVP caliber with an average of 34.6 points, 9.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. At the same time, Reaves is having a breakout season, averaging 28.1 points on 49% shooting, 7.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

LeBron James’ next move could take the Lakers over the top

Doc debates about the best teams in the Western Conference If it continues in NBA circles, the Lakers have to be mentioned alongside the Thunder, Rockets and Nuggets as a dark horse, with the addition of LeBron James bolstering their case. With just one game under James’ belt, the Lakers are 11-4 ninth highest offensive rating (117.9) in the NBA.

That’s a statistical category that will surely improve as LeBron finds his offensive momentum, and the same could be said on the defensive end. Add in the fact that James is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, which could be his best chance to win a fifth NBA championship and second with the Lakers, in the twilight of a 20-plus year career.