Just when you think NBA takes can’t get any spicier, JJ Redick steps up and casually tosses one into the fire. His latest suggestion? The best thing for the Los Angeles Lakers right now is having LeBron James as the third most used player on the team. Yes, THIRD, not first, not second. Third. Go ahead, read that again.
Now, on paper, it sounds like basketball blasphemy. This is LeBron James we’re talking about. The man has been the system, the coach, the GM, and occasionally the arena janitor for most of his career. Telling him to take a step back feels like telling the sun to dim a little. It’s just unnatural.
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But Redick isn’t just talking for fun, there’s actually some logic hiding in there. The Lakers, as currently constructed, are basically running on vibes, hope, and LeBron’s knees. And while those knees have held up like a luxury SUV, even the best engines need a break. Redick’s idea? Let someone else do the heavy lifting for once.
“He’s still going to be, and still has been, a high-usage player relative to your average player. The best thing for our team is being the third-highest-used player,” Redick said. “Obviously, there’s been stretches of the year where he’s had to do more with injuries or guys being out of the lineup.”
Despite the adjusted role, Redick emphasized that James remains elite in transition.
“Just continue to be the best transition player in the NBA,” the coach added.
The Lakers have thrived regardless, posting a 17-7 record in games without James and sitting at 43-25 overall, good for third place in the Western Conference.
The real issue here is trust. Can the Lakers actually rely on other players to carry the load?
JJ Redick on LeBron James returning after missing three games:
“I thought he was great tonight. I think he’s certainly again I talked about the human element. He’s certainly felt what AR and Luka feel at times. He’s been a high usage player and the number one option his whole… pic.twitter.com/GEFU2iBwHA
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) March 13, 2026
Still, you have to respect the take. It’s bold, risky and it might actually make sense. Maybe the key to unlocking the Lakers isn’t more LeBron, it’s slightly less LeBron.
Weird times in basketball, folks!
