The narrative that the Los Angeles Lakers are fine without LeBron James isn't disappearing anytime soon. After defeating the New York Knicks on Sunday, the Lakers are now 9-2 without LeBron on the court this season and +9.7 points per 100 possessions when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are on the floor without James.
On Monday, The Ringer's Bill Simmons called this season a "really weird situation for LeBron" because, while James clearly isn't a great fit with Doncic, it's not like LeBron is washed up.
James still has real value as an NBA star -- even at 41 years old -- but the evidence keeps piling up that he's not additive for this Luka-led Lakers squad.
The Lakers are simply better when led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
Every time Luka and Reaves play without LeBron, vibes are lighter for the Lakers, and LA usually wins. Simmons called Doncic and AR the "foundation of a really good team because you (can) build the right team around those guys." The Lakers are widely expected to do exactly that this coming offseason, once LeBron's salary is off the books.
Sunday's win over the Knicks was another Doncic-Reaves clinic. The backcourt pair combined for 60 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and five steals, the latter stat showing that their natural synergy exists on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, there are many reasons why Reaves is a better fit alongside Doncic than James. It starts with Reaves being a superior distance shooter to LeBron. More so than James, Reaves' gravity as a shooter stretches defenses and allows Luka more space to operate as a 1-on-1 alpha demon (see below).
Huge reason why Reaves is a better Robin for Luka Doncic than LeBron ... AR's shooting. It gives Luka more space to exploit mismatches.
— Colin Keane (@ColinKeane_) March 10, 2026
Josh Hart can't bother Luka at all here because he's tied to Reaves. Luka proceeds to eat Shamet in 1-on-1 coverage. pic.twitter.com/x9S7hSI3hc
Luka thrives when surrounded by shooters who don't need the ball to impact winning. The same goes for LeBron, which is why this has always been a clunky, frustrating fit. Simmons and his guest, Zach Lowe, were wise to surmise that James's 2025-26 season with the Lakers will be his last.
Lakers need to fix their LeBron problem in the next 18 games
But JJ Redick still has an elephant-sized problem in the room for the remainder of this season. It's not like the Lakers are completely giving up on this year. They have a 39-25 record and will be in the playoffs! Redick and Co. need to figure out ways to maximize this roster that has ugly chemistry at the top of its talent hierarchy.
Does this mean bringing LeBron off the bench? That solution might fly in a world where basketball politics and LeBron's brand weren't factors to be considered.
Whatever the antidote may be, Redick and the Lakers have 18 more regular season games to discover and implement it. Otherwise, this will be a wasted year of Luka's prime.