Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Mar. 18 that having LeBron James serve as the team’s third-highest-used player is the best approach for both James and the team. Redick’s comments come during a season where Luka Doncic has taken over as the franchise’s primary star, with Austin Reaves also emerging as a key offensive contributor.
This shift in roles marks a significant change for James, who has typically been his team’s top player throughout his career. With Doncic and Reaves leading the offense, James has transitioned into more of a finisher than a playmaker, which Redick believes benefits everyone involved.
“He’s still going to be, and still has been, a high-usage player relative to your average player,” Redick said of James. “The best thing for our team is being the third-highest-used player, you know, and obviously there’s been stretches of the year where he’s had to do more with injuries or guys being out of lineup.
“And I think finding a rhythm and a groove within, you know, the rotations and lineups when those three guys play, and I think that’s been the challenge for all of them, not just LeBron, all season.”
Redick also praised James’ willingness to adapt to his new role by focusing on smaller details such as diving for loose balls during games. This adjustment comes at a time when James is managing injuries but continues to contribute in different ways on the court.
James’ agent Rich Paul addressed recent narratives suggesting that the Lakers perform better without James on the floor. Paul dismissed these claims and maintained that no team would be better off without him.
As Los Angeles aims for another playoff run, both coaching staff and players appear committed to maximizing their strengths through evolving roles.