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It’s clear that LeBron James is not the same player he was two years ago, let alone five years ago, as he continues to try to find his place in the Los Angeles Lakers offense this season.
James scored 36 points on Dec. 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers, 23 points against the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 23 and added 18 points Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. However, the Lakers lost each of those games, and James’ plus-minus numbers got worse with each game. He was minus-33 in Los Angeles’ 119-96 loss to Houston.
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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell (R) talks with guard Zach LaVine (8) against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Center on February 24, 2016. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
Sam Mitchell, a former NBA forward with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers who also coached in the league for the T’Wolves and Toronto Raptors, said this week on SiriusXM NBA Radio that James, who is about to turn 41, would not even be the No. 1 option for the Washington Wizards at this point.
“This is what LeBron doesn’t understand. It hasn’t sunk in,” Mitchell said. “No matter what team you go to, you’re the third option. You don’t go to a team when you’re the first option anymore. If you went to the Washington Wizards, you still wouldn’t be the No. 1 option.”
The Wizards are tied for the worst record in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks with LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who was particularly upset with his team’s performance against the Rockets, hinted Saturday that James is becoming a problem for the offense.
“Since we’ve had Bron back, we haven’t been as organized offensively. Too many random possessions. That’s on me. It’s the three things: defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization,” Redick said.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to shoot the ball as he is defended by Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
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The Lakers are 19-10 on the season and have lost six of their last 10 games.
