Lakers Need to Trade LeBron James Before He Holds Them Back, Says Paul Pierce

Everyone including Paul Pierce are worried LeBron James' return to the Lakers from injury could upset the team's current balance.

Lakers Need to Trade LeBron James Before He Holds Them Back, Says Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce and LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

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LeBron James is just working his way back from the sciatica injury he suffered in the offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers will then have to figure out how to phase him in.

He is no stranger to the franchise or to the current group of players. Just that some of the new faces, such as Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart, have not had a chance to play alongside The King.

Chemistry is crucial if the purple and gold franchise is to compete for the 2026 NBA championship. With so many loaded teams competing alongside them, the Lakers are still just half a game away from 2nd in the West.

When James comes back from his injury, there are questions about how he will blend in. It seems former NBA champion and rival Paul Pierce has a solution.

They are looking good. They need to try to find a way to trade LeBron. He’s going to hold them back. Luka is the guy. We’ve seen what Reaves’ improvement is looking like… How do you implement LeBron to what they are doing now?

Paul Pierce said on the No Fouls Given podcast

The Hall of Famer added that LeBron James is not a consistent spot-up shooter, and neither is he a post player. Pierce believes that at this stage of his career, the all-time leading scorer needs to be the playmaker if he has to thrive.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves playing similar roles, the former Boston Celtics star believes James is a luxury that the Lakers can give away for some draft picks or impactful players.

LeBron James’ former teammate lays out how the oldest player can thrive on Lakers

Hearing Paul Pierce give this opinion, his podcast co-host Danny Green started shaking his head. He could not believe this was the idea the Celtics star had.

He then started to detail how Pierce was wrong, referencing how LeBron James changed his playing style once Luka Doncic arrived from the Dallas Mavericks.

They made it look good last year… He was playing the dunk and run role.

Danny Green said

The 3-and-D specialist who won his 3rd championship with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside the King believes the latter’s adjustment towards playing a free-flowing runner style would help the team.

While saying it, Green suggested that his former teammate should look at how Draymond Green plays for the Warriors. Hearing this, Pierce could not resist a good laugh. However, the former Spurs guard believes that role is possible with James’ level of production.

LeBron James might have to adjust a bit more after Austin Reaves’ growth

Last season, after Luka Doncic arrived, LeBron James stopped donning the playmaker hat and became more of a free safety. Inadvertently, the Lakers’ defense also improved, which is why they finished the season 3rd in the West.

Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have become the primary scorers
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have become the primary scorers (Image via Blazers Lead/X)

At the time, Austin Reaves was improving, but was clearly the 3rd option behind the two perennial All-NBA superstars. That has changed, with the Arkansas native proving he can be the No. 1 option if and when needed.

With James approaching 41, he might have to cede more ground to his teammates. When he returns, he might have to allow Reaves to control the ball whenever their Slovenian teammate sits.

It might be beneficial all around, as the 4-time league MVP might not have to expend energy battling with faster perimeter defenders. He could stay in the shadows, lurking and scoring at will.

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