Despite not having superstar LeBron James to start the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are plugging along well thanks to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Reaves in particular has stepped up in a major way, even dropping a career-high 51 points against the Sacramento Kings while the Lakers were short-handed.
They were missing both LeBron and Doncic but still ended up with a win thanks to Reaves. That game highlights a potential path forward for the Lakers, who have championship aspirations, but only if LeBron is healthy.
However, according to CBS's Sam Quinn, once fully healthy, LeBron should shift into a new role, not as a co-star to Doncic but as a third option behind both Doncic and Reaves.
I think the best version of this Laker team is one in which Austin is the second-leading scorer and genuinely competes for an All-Star slot while LeBron lowers his own scoring to around 18-20 a night while focusing more of his own energy on defense. https://t.co/zEkp7heTO1
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 27, 2025
You really can't overstate the importance of Austin Reaves breaking out like this. He's proving that he's more than just bait for the next star. He can be Luka's long-term running mate, and they can build this team around the two of them.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 30, 2025
That will be quite the change for both LeBron and the Lakers since he has been the best player on their team for most of his seven years in Los Angeles. To Quinn's point, however, Reaves is having a stellar season thus far, including having just hit the game winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This week is reaching Linsanity levels for Austin Reaves. Let the Reavesvolution continue.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 30, 2025
He hits the game winner at the buzzer to lift L.A. to 116-115 victory in MIN.
28 pts and 16 ast on the night. pic.twitter.com/tkvXMb5xyP
The Lakers must build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
Considering that LeBron appears to have issues with the Lakers' front office, he may not be too pleased about the thought of being a third option for the first time in his career. Nevertheless, he is 40 years old.
This year also could be LeBron's final season in the NBA, or at least his final season with the Lakers. That is why Los Angeles should take Quinn's advice by pulling the trigger on making Reaves their second option behind Doncic, which could be his long-term role with Los Angeles.
After all, assuming they are able to re-sign him, he and Doncic could form a stellar offensive backcourt for years to come. Getting a jump start on that by focusing more on those two and less on LeBron makes sense.
For one, having LeBron play a lesser role could keep him healthy for what could be a long postseason run. Another reason is that the Lakers will still need LeBron if they want to win a championship, but they probably shouldn't rely on him every game. Instead, if he can turn it on every other game and several times during a playoff run, then he could perhaps be more impactful.
All told, the Lakers must consider reorienting their offense around Doncic and Reeves with LeBron taking a back seat upon his return. It might not sit well with him, but this may be his last season with the team and give them their best chance to win.