LeBron James has long been the offensive engine wherever he has played. With age catching up as he turns 41, he naturally no longer needs to carry that load.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves alongside him, LeBron has more freedom to step back and play off the ball. But according to former NBA player and head coach Sam Mitchell, that adjustment may not have fully registered with LeBron yet.
In Mitchell’s eyes, LeBron is now a third option. He went further by saying that this would be the case not just with the Lakers, but even if LeBron were placed on the Washington Wizards.
“This is what LeBron doesn’t understand, it hasn’t sunk in. Whatever team you go to, you’re the 3rd option. You’re not going to a team when you’re the 1st option anymore. If you went to the Washington Wizards, you would still not be the number 1 option”
Sam Mitchell says LeBron James is a 3rd option on ANY team in the league he goes to 👀
“This is what LeBron doesn’t understand, it hasn’t sunk in. Whatever team you go to, you’re the 3rd option. You’re not going to a team when you’re the 1st option anymore. If you went to the… pic.twitter.com/vdL3VkT9Mo
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 27, 2025
