The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night for their third straight victory without LeBron James. In back-to-back games, LA destroyed title contenders. The defense has been a problem all season, but the Lakers solved it without James. The 41-year-old is a free agent after this season, and the franchise's decision gets easier with every victory.
LA has been better without LeBron all season. They are 3.7 points per 100 possessions better when he’s off the floor. The Lakers are 14-7 in games James has missed and 26-18 when he plays. Things are more complicated than these stats, but having a 41-year-old making $52 million per year is a problem.
The Lakers couldn’t buy a basket to start the game against Minnesota. They had 16 first-quarter points and missed their first 15 3-point attempts. It looked like it would be a disaster, but the purple and gold dominated the second and third quarters to crush the Wolves without LeBron. This team looks special and just further proved they don’t need James.
Lakers have to move on from LeBron James after 3-game win streak
The Lakers sat 22nd in defensive rating on March 5 and were giving up 115.3 points per game. They have given up just 106.7 each night over the last three, which includes wins over the Knicks and Timberwolves.
LeBron struggles on defense at this point in his career. Fans can’t expect him to be elite every possession at his age. The problem is that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are also subpar defenders. With three problematic options on the floor playing massive minutes, the Lakers struggle to find workable units. When LeBron is out, head coach JJ Redick can better balance things out.
The blueprint to winning with Luka is well known. He needs shooting and defense around him. Redick can use Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard to better space the floor with LeBron out. The results speak for themselves. The Lakers have been better without LeBron. It is not a knock on James’ greatness. He is still elite, but doesn’t fit what LA is building around Doncic.
Fans should be worried about LeBron’s latest injury. His foot has cost him three straight games, and coach Redick said he will miss a few more days. A 41-year-old with his mileage could be sidelined for an extended period with this injury. Nobody wants to see that.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to move on from LeBron James after this season. It is time. James can decide if he wants to play elsewhere or retire. LA can’t be a serious contender with LeBron making over $50 million per year. He is worth every penny because LBJ makes the Lakers millions more, but he can’t provide that value on the floor at his age and doesn’t fit this roster.
The Lakers' three-game win streak without LeBron is further proof. They have been significantly better on defense and are finding ways to win. Nobody should be surprised. Luka is one of the best players in the world, and a roster built around him will be an instant title contender. Sadly, that means dumping LeBron after this season.