Perhaps this was the Los Angeles Lakers ' front office plan all along, with All-Star LeBron James making his 2025-26 regular-season debut amid a successful start to a promising campaign, led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers won three straight games without Deandre Ayton , and while James eases his way into the fold, with only one game under his belt, Los Angeles is 11-4.

With nearly 20% of an 82-game regular season in the rearview, the Lakers have proven to LeBron and to themselves that they can succeed without James. However, that's not what will put them in contention with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers are hoping LeBron will be the player who takes them over the top in his 23rd NBA season.

The question from most Lakers fans this season: Is i

See Full Page