Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both love playing alongside LeBron James and would like to continue doing so for as long as possible, sources tell Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Out of respect for the four-time MVP, neither Doncic nor Reaves has asked him about when he plans to retire, McMenamin adds.
As McMenamin points out, Doncic already has some experience playing next to an NBA legend during the final phase of his career, having done so with Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas. Doncic viewed that year he spent as Nowitzki’s teammate as “invaluable,” McMenamin writes.
Of course, by the time Doncic joined the Mavericks, Nowitzki had become a part-time role player — he averaged just 7.3 points in 15.6 minutes per game during his lone season alongside Doncic. It’s a different dynamic in Los Angeles, where Doncic views James as “vital” to the Lakers’ ability to contend in the short term, sources tell ESPN.
We have more on the Lakers:
- The nerve issue that will sideline James for the start of the regular season isn’t new, ESPN’s Shams Charania said today during an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link). According to Charania, James has been dealing with sciatica on his left side since late July or early August. “Even before the Lakers’ media day on September 29 and the start of training camp, I’m told LeBron James had not done much basketball for well over a month prior to that,” Charania said. “… For him to be out to start the season and miss his first ever opening night, it’s an admission by him and the Lakers that he needs more time to ramp up, get into basketball shape. … He’s not there yet.”
- Dan Woike of The Athletic examines what it means for the Lakers that they’ll be without James to start the season, noting that league sources have been impressed by how Reaves has looked as a primary offensive option this fall. Reaves will likely be leaned on to take on that role whenever Doncic is off the court, Woike notes.
- Marcus Smart, who has battled both Achilles tendinopathy and a stomach illness as of late, described training camp as a “roller coaster,” tweets Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group. Smart was able to participate in Thursday’s practice in full, but couldn’t say whether or not he’ll be available for the team’s next preseason game on Sunday. “I plan to play during preseason,” he said. “Just don’t know when.” The Lakers have a busy preseason schedule, with games also on tap for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, so the veteran guard will have a few more opportunities to suit up.
Lakers’ primary strengths are their solid frontcourt depth, Super backcourt, and a super coaching staff with significant experience.
Lakers were 3 seed last year
Lakers (3) are a better team than Rockets (2) now.
False to all your points.
Last season the difference between the 3 seed and the 8 seed was only 2 games, and the majority of the Lakers’ season happened before the AD-Doncic trade.
Redick is only in his 2nd season as a head coach, so the Rockets coach has a lot more experience.
Rockets will likely struggle due to the FVV injury, so we will see how they handle that issue. Lebron’s injury could last awhile, and Smart’s as well. Hard to predict at this point how they adjust if those 2 can’t play.
The Lakers’ assistant coaches for the 2025-26 season are Scott Brooks, Nate McMillan, Lindsey Harding, Greg St. Jean, Beau Levesque, and Bob Beyer.
Lakers Bench
Marcus Smart
Jake LaRavia
Jarred Vanderbilt
Jaxson Hayes
Dalton Knecht
Gabe Vincent
At least 1 of those is going to start, with LeBron out
“Hard to predict at this point how they adjust if those 2 can’t play.”
Not hard at all. Doncic will have the ball a ton and will take plenty of shots. He did that when LeBron was playing too.
Every team that had Doncic (Madrid, Slovenia, Dallas, LAL) looked more or less the same. Regardless of who surrounded Luka.
I don’t see LAL being better than Houston.
With no PG, Houston is depending on Thompson to take a huge playmaking leap
Houston will be fine. Bring the ball up the court, running the offense and play making are very different things in 2025. All these people writing off Amen Thompson are in for a rude awakening. It’s very different NBA since John Stockton.
John Stockton? No, high level playoff success still requires a seasoned orchestrator, although the Stockton reference suggests you’re looking for them only in that mold.
You can’t name a successful playoff team in the past decade that’s navigated the playoffs without one. Jokic, jrue Holiday, SGA, LeBron at point in 2020, Draymond Green. Durant has showed he’s not that.
No one’s “writing off” Amen Thompson, that wasn’t even close to what I said
Warriors and Steph Curry. It’s 2025 man not 2020. LeBron isn’t a PG, nor is Draymond and Jrue has played plenty off the ball. Jokic a point, lmfao. You’ve just proved my point somewhat about teams not needing a traditional style point guard. Enter Thompson…thanks for playing, lols.
I didn’t prove your point, you just keep proving you dont really have one. Who is that equivalent of playmaker on the rockets?
I clearly said, with no PG, Houston is counting on him making a PLAYMAKING leap. I never said every team needs a traditional point guard. I see you’re one of those who likes to make up an argument the other person never made and then address that lol. Classic in today’s climate.
And if you don’t understand that Draymond Green has been the primary playmaker in the warriors offense, just stop watching basketball and stick to trolling