Are the Lakers low key better without Lebron?

[Bob8]

Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton are MAGNIFICENT ADDITIONS.

Sure they are for 13 mio both, add Laravia for 6 and you might understand why Lakers have very solid roster this year. Those 19 mio is averaging almost 40 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.

I agree I love the new look Lakers. Its the first time I've ever liked the Lakers in my whole life actually (even though I like Houston and Minnesota WAY more). But when LeBron returns I won't like the Lakers anymore.

Lakers are in pretty good spot, we have to remember that Idiot Nico saved them a lot of money for not paying Luka super max.

Luka will be making less money than AD in every of next 3 years.

[Liam_Gallagher]

So we're just gonna ignore Nick Smith dominating the Blazers on the road? Even Jrue Holiday couldn't handle him.

Team is stacked.

[Bob8]

So we're just gonna ignore Nick Smith dominating the Blazers on the road? Even Jrue Holiday couldn't handle him.

Team is stacked.

Another player others are paying for.

[infinite11285]

What's a realistic return the Lakers can get for a package involving Luka and Bron Sr? It's time to trim the bloated contracts and build around Reaves, Bron Jr., Ayton, LaRavia, and Nick Smith Jr.

[druggas]

What's a realistic return the Lakers can get for a package involving Luka and Bron Sr? It's time to trim the bloated contracts and build around Reaves, Bron Jr., Ayton, LaRavia, and Nick Smith Jr.

Luka's a keeper, but Bronny's dad needs to go.

[dWadeOwnzYou]

Actually they will be even better when Lebron comes back. Where are the naysayer at? Saying that they can't win with AR and that he needs to be traded. The Lakers are playing like the 2nd best team in the league right now and I could only see them improving from here on out. Scary time for the rest of the league.

[Liam_Gallagher]

What's a realistic return the Lakers can get for a package involving Luka and Bron Sr? It's time to trim the bloated contracts and build around Reaves, Bron Jr., Ayton, LaRavia, and Nick Smith Jr.

Probably trolling, but I'm actually curious to see what they can get for Vincent, Knecht, and a future 1st.

[nbaguy1]

That’s a hot topic — and the answer depends on what you mean by “better off.” Let’s break it down from a few angles:

On-Court Performance

With LeBron: The Lakers get elite playmaking, leadership, and scoring efficiency even at age 40 (2025 season). He still demands defensive attention, which opens up opportunities for teammates.

Without LeBron: They might play faster and with more ball movement — especially if younger players like Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura take on bigger roles. But losing LeBron’s IQ and late-game control often leads to inconsistency.

Financial & Team-Building

With LeBron: His massive contract limits cap flexibility, making it harder to add another star or deep bench.

Without LeBron: They’d have more cap room for free agents and could focus on building around Anthony Davis and younger talent — but that’s a big gamble unless they land another superstar.

Intangibles

LeBron is still the face of the franchise — he brings global attention, TV ratings, and credibility.

Without him, the Lakers could pivot toward a long-term rebuild, but they’d lose that star power and championship expectation.

Bottom Line

Right now (2025), the Lakers are probably not better on the court without LeBron. But long-term — say, 2–3 years down the line — moving on might make sense if they can transition smoothly into a younger, deeper core.

Would you like me to include some current (2025 season) stats or standings to back this up?

They we literally better on the court without Lebron last season.

It's a valid question. Over 70 games in which he played last season, in raw numbers the Lakers were -0.3 pts per100 when Lebron was on the court and +4.9 pts per100 when he was off. In the playoffs it was even worse; -11.1 on, +10.9 off. He can (at times) excel on offense, but his defense has absolutely fallen off a cliff—evident in the numbers and via the eye test. In a more limited role he can probably still be of some use.

[SlimShady83]

What's a realistic return the Lakers can get for a package involving Luka and Bron Sr? It's time to trim the bloated contracts and build around Reaves, Bron Jr., Ayton, LaRavia, and Nick Smith Jr.

Probably trolling, but I'm actually curious to see what they can get for Vincent, Knecht, and a future 1st.

Herb Jones maybe Thybulle?

[MrTribbiani]

I might be alone on this island but I think Lebron is a terrible teammate and is bad for team chemistry. Sure, he gets assists but that doesn't make a great teammate.

For one, he has played GM player to the detriment of his success. If someone doesn't vibe with him, he simply gets them traded. He absolutely threatened to leave LA if they didn't draft his son.

Statistically, he is a blackhole for others. He teammates are guaranteed to see a decrease in their statistical output while his numbers do not. One cannot say the same thing about MJ or Kobe. Many of their teammates played at career peaks with them while many players played a career lows with Lebron.

So yes, the Lakers are far better off without Lebron. And their pockets will be a whole lot fuller.

Nonsensical take. That would be like saying that Jordan was a terrible teammate and bad for team chemistry.

[ScrantonBulls]

First Reaves, and now LaRavia. LeBron is doing a masterful job of molding these guys into great players (and a star in Reaves case). What LeBron is doing with the player development on the Lakers might be one of his top achievements.

[Lalouie]

hi key too
hi key, lo key
muted, contrast
saturated,,,,all those adobe edits

[Bucketz_McGee]

Nonsensical take. That would be like saying that Jordan was a terrible teammate and bad for team chemistry.[/quote]

Except Jordan's teammates played better while playing with Jordan than without. The same cannot be said about Lebron.

[Black Jack]

Lebron is a switch to being a big man and letting Luka dominate the ball away from everyone being shocked at how great he is as a supporting player.

Basically LeBron playing the Draymond role is very valuable still, assuming he's healthy of course.

I agree he has been ball dominant his whole career but he's smart enough to let Luka take the mantle now.

[Doug_12]

No, Luka being Luka and Reaves taking a step further means that Lebron can concentrate on other aspects of the game than scoring. With the Smart-Reaves-Doncic trio playing that well, I can see Lebron taking a backseat and giving the remaining forward spot to either Rui or LaRavia.

Lebron coming off the bench could do miracles with the second unit - especially if we put players next to him who can space the floor. Having him playing mostly with Vincent, Reaves/Nick Smith, Rui and Hayes are probably quite good against second string guys. In this setting I'm sure he is not going to be a defensive liability either (especially if he focuses and saves energy on offense) and is still a very impactful offensive player.

Doncic can then roll mostly with Smart, Reaves, LaRavia and Ayton.

[manlisten]

Lebron is a switch to being a big man and letting Luka dominate the ball away from everyone being shocked at how great he is as a supporting player.

Basically LeBron playing the Draymond role is very valuable still, assuming he's healthy of course.

I agree he has been ball dominant his whole career but he's smart enough to let Luka take the mantle now.

He did that last season. He was so deferential to Luka it was almost humiliating. There were times where he was almost a non factor on offense because he wanted to let Luka get freaky.

[Ben-N1ce]

So LeBron gets no credit for being the GM and coach this season?

[Mephariel]

Nonsensical take. That would be like saying that Jordan was a terrible teammate and bad for team chemistry.

Except Jordan's teammates played better while playing with Jordan than without. The same cannot be said about Lebron.[/quote]

Pippen played fantastic without Jordan and was ranked 3rd in MVP voting. He posted some of his strongest stats without Jordan.

Also, this statement: "He has played GM player to the detriment of his success." So he gets credit for getting Luka to the Lakers, Ayton's signing, JJ Redick's hiring, and the Lakers success right now right? Since he is the GM.

[Daddy 801]

What's a realistic return the Lakers can get for a package involving Luka and Bron Sr? It's time to trim the bloated contracts and build around Reaves, Bron Jr., Ayton, LaRavia, and Nick Smith Jr.

Probably trolling, but I'm actually curious to see what they can get for Vincent, Knecht, and a future 1st.

Not much. That pick is all but guaranteed to be 20-30 pick and closer to end of first round than pick 20. Luka is that good and they will only get better each year as they put the right type of players around Luka and will have a ton of cap space once Bron retirees or leaves. A pick that has a chance at being a good pick has a lot of value. A pick that is almost guaranteed to be a late first round draft pick isn’t worth nearly as much.

[TheGOATWill]

Yes and no. Lebron out seems like it makes basketball easier for 3 through 8. Rui, Smart, Ayton, LaRavia, Vanderbilt, Hayes. So it will matter what the plan is. If Lebron comes back and wants to be classic Lebron it won't work. There's 15 players in the league suited to play Lebron ball and the Lakers don't have any of them including his own kid. If Lebron comes back and the plan is "be the best Pascal Siakam that has ever existed" then the league has a huge problem.