Five games into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have become Austin Reaves’ team. With LeBron James yet to suit up, and Luka Dončić having played only two games yet already showing excellence, Reaves stands out as the most reliable and productive player on the Lakers so far.
Of course, once Dončić and James return, Reaves is expected to slot back into the third option role. Last season, he thrived behind Dončić and James, finishing strong, and it stands to reason he will continue producing regardless of who is on the floor around him. However, given his early-season success, Reaves could potentially take on a larger mantle, one that LeBron James might be willing to hand over.
### LeBron James Urged to Improve Defensive Effort
From 2008 to 2014, LeBron James earned All-Defensive Team honors for six consecutive seasons. Since 2014, he has not received that recognition. Frankly, his day-to-day effort on the defensive end has raised questions.
Even as he approaches 41 years old, James remains an elite athlete—strong and capable of guarding multiple positions. However, to conserve energy for offensive impact and boost his statistics, James has generally prioritized offense over defense.
With elite scorers like Dončić and Reaves on the roster, James has been encouraged to reduce his offensive load and focus more on defense. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn recently wrote after Reaves’ 51-point outburst,
> “I think the best version of this Laker team is one in which Austin is the second-leading scorer and genuinely competes for an All-Star slot, while LeBron lowers his own scoring to around 18-20 points a night and focuses more of his energy on defense.”
By utilizing James as an off-ball threat, the Lakers can thrive. If James conserves his energy for defensive efforts, he remains capable of being a lockdown defender against even the NBA’s best. While this role is less glamorous than scoring 25 points nightly, it may be essential for the Lakers’ success.
### LeBron James Might Have an Incentive to Step Up on Defense
LeBron James will continue to be an elite scorer and facilitator as long as he remains in the NBA. Offensively, he has little left to prove.
Even if he returns from injury by the expected date of November 18th, James will likely play a maximum of 68 games this season. To qualify for an All-NBA Team, he can afford to miss only three games down the stretch.
Earning his 22nd All-NBA Team selection would secure him a massive salary and a major role in free agency next summer. Falling short, however, could jeopardize those prospects.
James’ best strategy this season to prolong his career might be to showcase versatility by excelling on defense. Winning teams highly value elite wing defenders, and if James can thrive defensively while still contributing solid scoring and playmaking, his future as an active NBA player won’t be in doubt.
That said, time is limited—he has much to prove in the coming months.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lebron-james-injury-all-defensive-team/