{"id":181870,"date":"2026-03-16T20:48:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T00:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=181870"},"modified":"2026-03-16T20:54:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T00:54:39","slug":"rich-paul-chimes-in-on-lakers-are-better-without-lebron-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/16\/rich-paul-chimes-in-on-lakers-are-better-without-lebron-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Rich Paul Chimes In On ‘Lakers Are Better Without LeBron’ Debate"},"content":{"rendered":"

The debate over <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>\u2019 fit with <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a> has a new (albeit expected) perspective: James\u2019 longtime agent and friend, Rich Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rich Paul Chimes In On ‘Lakers Are Better Without LeBron’ Debate<\/h2>\n

Paul Calls Discussion \u201cNonsense\u201d<\/h3>\n

Speaking on the <\/span>\u201cGame Over\u201d podcast<\/span><\/a> alongside co-host Max Kellerman, Paul <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou hear all the nonsense about the team being better without LeBron. I\u2019ve never seen a team in my life that would be better without LeBron James \u2026 I think it\u2019s more so about figuring it out. Sometimes, it takes you longer than not, because for a guy that\u2019s been on the ball for so long, how do you play him off the ball? \u2026 You have to factor in his presence. You gotta realize something: most guys that [step] on the floor with LeBron James, are in awe.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul also dismissed Kellerman\u2019s notion that the current Lakers are better without James, who has played 46 of a possible 67 games this season and is averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists on .505\/.311\/.742 splits.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Numbers Don\u2019t Lie, But\u2026<\/h3>\n

Despite Paul\u2019s support, advanced metrics back the notion that this year\u2019s <\/span>Lakers<\/span><\/a> are better without James on the floor, numbers that go beyond the 14-7 record without him this season. As <\/span>Sports Illustrated\u2019s Chris Mannix<\/span><\/a> noted on Mar. 11:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>…when James has been out, Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves have thrived. <\/span>The Lakers are 10\u20132 in games Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves have played <\/span>without<\/span><\/i> James<\/span><\/a>. Playing together, they have an offensive rating of 117.9. They have a defensive rating of 111.6. With James, the net rating is -1.1. Without him, it\u2019s +6.6. During James\u2019s recent three-game absence, a rival assistant noted that his team believed it had a better chance to win with James on the floor.\u201c<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the same time\u2014to Paul\u2019s credit\u2014the Lakers\u2019 big three are figuring things out post All-Star break. According to <\/span>Lake Show Life\u2019s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoncic, James, and Reaves have turned the corner on the totality of the season, averaging a net rating of 3.2 in their 362 minutes on the court as a trio. That number looks even prettier since the All-Star break. They have posted a net rating of 12.6 in the 10 games and 210 minutes they have under their belt during that span. That net rating of 12.6 following the break includes two figures worth mentioning on their own. The offensive rating that goes into that mark is 116.0. The defensive rating? It would be a stellar 103.4.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The improved dynamic has also proven itself in the Lakers\u2019 recent wins. Doncic and Reaves led the show against the Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets last week while James took a step back, taking just 13 shots in each contest and finishing with 18 and 17 points, respectively. He continued to defend, rebound and facilitate at a high level, though the supposed \u201cpecking order\u201d between himself, Doncic and Reaves was clearly on display.<\/span><\/p>\n

James\u2019 \u201cSacrifice\u201d Paying Off<\/h3>\n

James, Doncic, Reaves and head coach JJ Redick are <\/span>commited to making the big three work<\/span><\/a>, with <\/span>James willing to make sacrifices<\/span><\/a> and adapt to the team\u2019s needs. That sentiment has sustained itself over the <\/span>Lakers\u2019 five-game winning streak<\/span><\/a>, which faces another test starting tonight against the Houston Rockets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Lakers coach JJ Redick spoke pregame about LeBron James\u2019 current role on the team heading into the home stretch of the regular season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing for our team is (LeBron) being the third-highest-used player.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/fyN0tjpme2<\/a><\/p>\n

— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) March 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n