The Los Angeles Lakers are riding a five-game winning streak, and much of that success has come from the dynamic backcourt duo of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
During that stretch, LeBron James has missed time or played a reduced role in several games. Interestingly, the Lakers have looked fluid offensively when the ball has primarily flowed through Dončić and Reaves.
That development puts head coach JJ Redick in a difficult position, because a supposed GOAT sits on his roster.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are driving the Lakers’ streak
The Dončić–Reaves pairing has been electric. When both guards control the offense, the Lakers play faster and often generate cleaner scoring opportunities.
This isn’t the first time Los Angeles has looked sharp with LeBron sidelined or playing fewer minutes. Earlier in the season, the Dončić–Reaves duo also produced some of the team’s best offensive stretches. Combined, they can score between 60 and 80 points, just the two of them.
However, that does not necessarily mean this approach can carry the Lakers to a championship if we look further down the road.
LeBron remains the team’s most experienced postseason player and still one of the league’s smartest offensive engines. Completely shifting away from him would create a different set of problems.
JJ Redick must find the right balance with LeBron James
The challenge for Redick is not choosing between the stars. It is finding the right balance between them.
There are stretches where allowing Dončić and Reaves to dominate the ball works extremely well, particularly when the Lakers are trying to control a home or abroad game stretch - the same applies to the postseason. A decisive game 3 or 4 against the Spurs or Thunder might need exactly that power.
LeBron still needs to take center stage at times. His playmaking, leadership, and ability to control the pace of playoff possessions remain critical assets. He needs to be in charge of game 1 or 2 in the postseason or of a stretch of plays during the season.
If the Lakers want to make a serious run, Redick will likely need to alternate between different offensive identities depending on matchups, fatigue, and game flow.
The Lakers bench usage remains a growing concern
Another issue with the current strategy is the lack of involvement from the bench. When Dončić and Reaves dominate the offense, the rotation tends to tighten significantly. In the win against Denver, the bench saw hardly any minutes or points.
That can work during a short winning stretch. Over a long season and especially in the playoffs, however, relying heavily on two ball-dominant guards risks wearing down the roster.
The Lakers do not have a perfect roster, but flawed teams can still win if the rotation is managed creatively. That requires deeper bench involvement and strategic adjustments from game to game.
If Redick wants the Lakers to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, he may need to develop a next-level rotation strategy.
Because while the Dončić–Reaves duo can carry the team through stretches of the season, sustaining that formula through the playoffs without more balance could prove far more difficult. Shaquille O'Neal went in a similar direction, questioning a title run, despite the win against Denver.