LeBron James has been prone to being a streaky shooter throughout his NBA career. The month of February has featured the ugly end of what that means for the Los Angeles Lakers star. His numbers have been abysmal and the team has suffered as a result.
Thus far, James is shooting 21.1 percent from beyond the arc during this current calendar month (h/t Trevor Lane). Despite that, LeBron is hoisting the second most 3-point shots on average among Lakers player in February. His 4.8 attempts per game from deep account for about 28 percent of his overall shots taken during this stretch.
The Lakers have still managed a 5-3 record in the games James has suited up for in February. To some capacity, many would argue that has been in spite of the all-time great and these struggles. LeBron has posted an offensive rating of 109.0 during the month (11th on the team) and an overall net rating of -2.1 (9th on the team).
No one is going to sit here and push James out the door, to the bench, or otherwise. However, maybe it is time for LeBron — and JJ Redick by extension — to look for more opportunities for him to score elsewhere. It's either that or turning around a lackluster shooting season. Whatever is more doable.
LeBron James' shooting struggles are seriously hurting the Lakers
James has enjoyed some solid, and even elite, seasons shooting the 3-point ball through his playing days. This just hasn't been one of them.
Thus far in 2025-26, the Lakers star is only connecting on 30.3 percent of his 4.6 attempts per game from triple. That is well below league average and represents a serious drop-off from the strong production last season in that category.
James shot 37.6 percent on 5.7 3-point attempts a night in 2024-25. LeBron was even the best catch and shoot option from behind the 3-point line, purely by the percentages. The 22-time All-Star shot 42.0 percent on those opportunities last year. There was a ton of optimism that was something that could be done effectively next to Luka Doncic this season.
That hasn't happened. James is only shooting 34.5 percent on the catch and shoot opportunities from deep in the current campaign.
The Lakers have 26 games left to figure out a lot of key components about the functionality of this year's group. Everyone is expecting a serious roster retool in the summer, sure. However, back-to-back first round exits to start the Doncic era would be a discouraging start to his career in Los Angeles.
The entire roster will be tasked with fine-tuning the formula before the NBA Playoffs. That includes LeBron.