LOS ANGELES, December 28, 2025 — LeBron James’ recent performance is raising eyebrows, and not in a good way. The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling despite his scoring, and a former NBA coach believes James is no longer a team’s top option.
Is LeBron’s Reign as a No. 1 Option Over?
The question isn’t whether LeBron James is still a great player, but whether he can still carry a team as its primary scorer.
- LeBron James scored 36 points against the Clippers on December 20, 23 against the Suns on December 23, and 18 against the Rockets on December 25, but the Lakers lost all three games.
- His plus-minus figures worsened with each loss, culminating in a -33 rating against Houston.
- Former NBA coach Sam Mitchell stated James wouldn’t even be the first option on the struggling Washington Wizards.
- Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the team hasn’t been offensively organized since James’ return.
- The Lakers currently hold a 19-10 record, but have lost six of their last ten games.
James put up 36 points on December 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers, followed by 23 points against the Phoenix Suns on December 23, and 18 points on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. However, those individual efforts weren’t enough to secure victories, and his impact on the game, as measured by plus-minus, has been trending negatively. He finished at a concerning minus-33 in Los Angeles’ 119-96 loss to Houston.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell (R) talks to guard Zach LaVine (8) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on Feb. 24, 2016. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
Sam Mitchell, a former NBA forward and coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, didn’t mince words during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio. He argued that, approaching age 41, James wouldn’t even be the top option on the Washington Wizards. “This is what LeBron doesn’t understand. It hasn’t sunk in,” Mitchell said. “Whatever team you go to, you’re the third option. You’re not going to a team when you’re the first option anymore. If you went to the Washington Wizards, you would still not be the No. 1 option.” The Wizards currently share the worst record in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks to 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)
