LeBron James is the First Player to Participate in 23 NBA Seasons
LeBron James is entering uncharted territory by participating in his 23rd NBA season, breaking the record of 22 seasons set by Vince Carter. Last season, James played at an unprecedented level considering his age (40 years old) and experience (22 NBA seasons), averaging 24.4 ppg, 8.2 apg (sixth in the league), and 7.8 rpg. He made the All-NBA Second Team, and he finished sixth in regular season MVP voting. James' L.A. Lakers finished third in the Western Conference regular season standings before being upset 4-1 by the sixth seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
James missed the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season because of sciatica, and he has now played two games, both versus the woeful Utah Jazz.
In his first game of the season, James scored 11 points on 4-7 field goal shooting while passing for a game-high 12 assists and grabbing three rebounds as the L.A. Lakers defeated the 5-9 Jazz, 140-126. He had a +1 plus/minus number while every other Lakers' starter had a plus/minus number of at least +10. Luka Doncic scored a game-high 37 points on 11-22 field goal shooting while dishing 10 assists with a +10 plus/minus number in 34 minutes. Austin Reaves had 26 points on 7-11 field goal shooting, one assist, and a +10 plus/minus number in 33 minutes.
In his second game of the season, James had 17 points on 8-17 field goal shooting, eight rebounds, and six assists as the Lakers defeated the 5-11 Utah Jazz, 108-106. James had a team-worst -14 plus/minus number in 34 minutes. Doncic scored a game-high 33 points, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, and passed for a game-high tying eight assists in 40 minutes while sporting a gaudy game-high + 33 plus/minus number. Reaves had 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a -1 plus/minus number.
This is clearly a small sample size of games from which no definitive conclusions should be drawn. It is worth noting that in his last game prior to this season, James had a team-worst -14 plus/minus number as the Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers, 103-96. James had five points on 2-7 field goal shooting in the fourth quarter of that game.
For most of his career, James has been the focal point for his team and he has dominated the ball while other players--even future Hall of Famers--sublimated their games and accepted having reduced touches. That formula is not in the best interest of the 2025-26 Lakers, because Doncic is a future Hall of Famer who is just entering his prime. Doncic is in the best shape of his life, and he has been shattering records with his quick start to this season. Doncic should be the Lakers' primary scorer and primary ballhandler/decision maker. Reaves is well-suited to being a secondary scorer/secondary playmaker.
Where does that leave James? Based on James' age, health, and current skill set level, he should be the third option. Reducing James' offensive load not only diversifies the Lakers' attack by enabling Doncic and Reaves to shine, but it also gives James the opportunity to be more impactful defensively. Offense is not a problem for the Lakers, but they need to play better defense, and if James wants too add to his championship ring collection then he will focus on elevating the Lakers' defense both by example and by mentoring the team's younger players. Older players tend to be injury-prone, and tend to not be as engaged or effective defensively. The Lakers need for James to be healthy and to be a net positive defensively; reducing his offensive workload is the best way to keep James healthy and to help him have enough energy to be effective defensively. James has carefully crafted a reputation for being unselfish while having a high basketball IQ; the unselfish, smart way for him to play now is let Doncic and Reaves cook offensively while shoring up the Lakers' defense.
Labels: Austin Reaves, L.A. Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Utah Jazz
posted by David Friedman @ 3:09 AM
