The Los Angeles Lakers have three of the best shot creators in the NBA in Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. There are certainly holes to consider on the roster, but their top-end offensive talent borders on second to none.
That surplus of depth in the star-caliber shot creation department has opened the door for the Lakers to make noise in the playoffs as their ability to generate offense is too elite to discredit.
The Detroit Pistons' recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs illuminated a crucial truth about the importance of shot creation depth. Cade Cunningham was effectively left on an island, thus allowing San Antonio to defeat Detroit on a night when Victor Wembanyama didn't exaclty impose himself on offense.
It's a luxury that not many teams can afford their No. 1 scoring option, as it's simply harder than one might presume to find legitimately reliable shot creators.
Los Angeles is perhaps better equipped than any other team in the NBA to navigate such terrain. It's currently the only team in the NBA with three players averaging at least 20.0 points per game, and each ranks among the best playmakers at their respective positions, as well.
That extraordinary offensive balance among the top three players gives the Lakers an edge that few teams can hope to compete with.
Lakers one of select few with three star-caliber scorers and playmakers
Doncic is currently on pace to win his second career scoring title with an average of 32.8 points per game. He's simultaneously dishing out 8.5 assists per contest, which ranks No. 3 in the Association behind only Nikola Jokic and Cunningham.
That alone would offer reason for optimism, particularly when one considers that Doncic is a proven postseason performer who has led teams to the NBA Finals in 2024 and Conference Finals in 2022.
Austin Reaves adds fuel to the fire as a top-tier second option from a pure production perspective. He's averaging 25.2 points and 5.7 assists per game on .509/.371/.870 shooting. Only nine other players are averaging at least 25.0 points and 5.0 assists, and each were named to the All-Star team.
What makes Reaves even more dangerous is the fact that he's shooting 43.2 percent on catch-and-shoot three-point field goals, thus revealing how easily he plays off of Doncic in off-ball situations.
Lakers only team in NBA with three players averaging 20+ PPG, 5+ APG
While many teams have great duos running the offense, few can say they have a player the caliber of LeBron James in the No. 3 role. The 41-year-old is averaging 21.7 points and 7.1 assists per game on 49.7 percent shooting from the field and is one of the greatest playoff performers ever.
That doesn't necessarily make the Lakers an unbeatable team, but their proverbial big three certainly offers reason for optimism on the offensive end of the floor.
The Denver Nuggets are the only other team with two players averaging at least 20.0 points and 5.0 assists per game—and the Lakers have three. The Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers are the only other teams wth two players averaging at least 25.0 points per contest—and the Lakers' star duo leads the NBA at a combined average of 58.0.
With three players who can create their own looks, run the offense in a playmaking role, and potentially take over playoff games, the Lakers have a strength that's difficult to match.