After an unprecedented trade earlier this year, Luka Dončić became the Lakers’ next face of the franchise. In the wake of Luka’s arrival, LeBron became the second-best player on his team, a position he’s never been in before.
LeBron was diagnosed with an injury that caused him to miss the beginning of this season. In that time, the Lakers have been playing great basketball and are one of the best teams in the West. The team’s chemistry is the best it’s been in years, and they’re playing freer than ever. This start left many fans wondering if the Lakers should trade LeBron and use the assets to build around Luka.
But as LeBron makes his return against the Jazz, the answer is no — LeBron should wear purple and gold until he retires.
A Certified Bucket
LeBron is a superstar. He can perform in any situation, whether it’s home or away, regular season or postseason. Nothing deters Lebron from putting up numbers. For that reason alone, his value is immense. NBA history has proven that a team needs at least two superstars to make a run in the playoffs.
Other than Luka, the Lakers don’t have another playoff riser. Austin Reaves has been phenomenal this season, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as LeBron James when it comes to consistency. Reaves becoming the third option would take pressure off him and allow him clean, easy looks.
In the wake of LeBron’s injury, multiple role players have played great basketball and created numerous shots for themselves. However, role players needing to create frequently isn’t a viable formula for success in the long run. The team needs another creator who can get open looks for himself and his teammates. LeBron fills that need.
Off-Ball Bron
Luka is a ball-dominant guard, which left the NBA world wondering how LeBron and Luka would play together. Even though LeBron plays with the ball in his hands often, an underrated part of his game is his ability to play off-ball.
He uses his superb basketball IQ to determine his timing and angles on cuts and find open space. His capacity to make catch-and-shoot threes has also steadily improved throughout his career. He can do everything needed in an off-ball role.
Luka’s greatness demands all the attention on the court. This leads to him being double- or triple-teamed by the other team’s best perimeter defenders. The attention on Luka leaves the second or even third-best defenders trying to guard the best player of this generation. LeBron can get easy looks and conserve energy for big stretches of the game.
LeBron’s Impact and Box Office Potential
LeBron’s impact on the game of basketball can’t be understated. He’s done everything there is to do on and off the court. However, the legendary player is still playing at a high level and can still contribute to the Lakers.
He still has the drive to be a champion and will do anything to become a champion again if that means playing off-ball or in a role he’s not used to. He’ll do it in pursuit of a championship.
The LeBron-Luka duo is box-office and demands the attention of every NBA fan. Two of the most popular players in the league are playing on the NBA’s most popular franchise. This brings more intrigue and excitement to the league, as fans theorize how these players will perform together over the course of a full season. It’s remarkable to see two all-time greats on the same team, so the basketball world should hold on for as long as we can.
LeBron adds too much to the Lakers for them to trade him.
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