Benching LeBron James Among 3 Things Lakers Should Dare to Do to Contend for NBA Title

The Los Angeles Lakers thought LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves would be the fulcrum of their effort to compete and contend for the 2026 NBA title.

64 games in, the team is somehow clinging on to a playoff spot, something they held with ease when they rose as high as second in the Western Conference in the early days of this season.

Either they are winning or losing in spurts. Such has been the inconsistency that even betting sites do not offer major swings in odds whenever the men in purple and gold play.

However, one aspect has remained consistent. The team struggles to compete against playoff teams while routinely handling business against inferior teams.

Usually, such a team would be labeled as middle of the pack, something Charles Barkley has unabashedly felt the Lakers have been over the past few years.

But their win against the New York Knicks has opened some conversations that many die-hard fans have found hard to digest. It is also expected that mainstream media would also debate about it, as things the franchise has to do if they want to contend for a title this year.

Bench LeBron James

This is, without a doubt, the hardest thing anyone in the organization would dare to think of. After all, the 41-year-old has helped rebuild the franchise into a competitive one after years of obscurity.

Governor Jeanie Buss‘ dissatisfaction with LeBron James and his camp touting him as the franchise’s savior was the first indication that all is not well at the Crypto.com Arena.

‘The King’ shrugged it off and said that he did not care what was being said. But they might not be able to dispel notions that, without his aging body occupying space on the floor, the Lakers have proved time and again that they play better.

The pattern was evident when he was out dealing with sciatica, and in this win against the Knicks. The team performed better in all departments, ending the game with an impressive defensive effort to stop their opponents from scoring under 100 points.

They struggle with their defensive intensity when LeBron James is on the floor, and over the past couple of weeks, the blame was on Luka Doncic’s shoulders. Now, it seems he can be effective when he does not have to think about his veteran teammate’s positioning.

Maximize LeBron James’ effectiveness with the second unit

Asking LeBron James to come off the bench is hard in itself. But maybe, it would be comforting that his already poor usage rate would be much better if he led the Lakers’ second unit.

Understandably, the 23-season veteran is conserving his body for the playoffs. However, if head coach JJ Redick does not make the change now, the team risks dropping down to the play-in positions.

12 of their remaining 18 games are against playoff teams. Add the fact that all of them are fighting their own battles to stay or improve their respective positions, and none of those teams will go easy on the Los Angeles-based franchise.

Naturally, LeBron James would want to play extensive minutes. However, to channel that into improved teamwide performance, Redick will have to push his former podcast co-host to use his extensive playmaking and scoring skills to galvanize the second team.

The Lakers can go as far as their bench can take them. That is the universal truth when it comes to teams with championship aspirations. Since much has been made of the (lack of) talent on the team’s roster, what better than to ask one of the greatest to ever play the game to lead it.

Allow LeBron James to be the leader of the second unit

When the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 bubble championship, LeBron James was the most vocal leader in a team that had several strong-minded individuals.

Compared to that, the four-time league MVP has seemingly taken a passive approach to the game. He does not command the players anymore, and even stays away even if his teammates are fighting their opponents.

The LeBron James fans know off is one who thrives as the de facto leader of the team. Even though he has willingly handed that crown to the franchise’s new prince, in Luka Doncic, it could help the team’s second unit.

The Lakers’ bench needs motivation at a time when almost all of them are playing fewer minutes than they originally thought. If the four-time champion embraces his inner Russell Westbrook, he could lead that unit to surprise the league.

That will have multiple benefits. For instance, the unit can help take the pressure off Doncic and Austin Reaves, allowing them to play fewer minutes every game, something that would work wonders in the playoffs.

Then, LeBron James himself can shut all the critics who want him gone from the franchise. With his value back on track and possibly a championship, the superstar can decide what he wants to do next.

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