LOS ANGELES – Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers are stacked with ball-handlers and playmakers. From Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, to new addition Marcus Smart, and even Gabe Vincent and Bronny James, the Lakers’ roster has players who are comfortable with the ball in their hands. Being able to fit in around those players was one of the main reasons why LeBron James, who has been the face of the Lakers franchise for the past several years, chose to work on his off-ball movement in the offseason.
LeBron James has certainly built a career off having the ball in his hands and making plays. But as he continues to evolve as a player, even at his age, he wanted to allow his teammates to have more freedom in handling the ball while seeks out the catch-and-shoot opportunities they create from attracting defensive attention.
“I spent a lot of time on my catch-and-shoot three-pointers. . .understanding how I can make the most of when I don’t have the ball either moving or moving into space. Obviously Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] are gonna do a lot of time handling the ball. We got Marcus Smart now who can handle the ball, Gabe, Bronny when he gets his opportunity can handle the ball,” James said during Lakers Media Day.
“We have a lot of guys who can handle the ball,” James continued. “So how can I still be effective on the team where I don’t have to handle the ball as much. I’ll handle the ball as well. . .but I did shoot a lot more catch-and-shoot threes, just wanting to be ready.”
It was initially reported by ClutchPoints’ Lakers insider Anthony Irwin that James had spent most of his offseason working on off-ball reps as he prepares for Doncic to shoulder most of the offensive load, including ball-handling.
James will be coming into an unprecedented 23rd year in the NBA, and he will turn 41-years-old just a couple of months into the regular season. It makes sense that he would want to lessen his load and find ways to be effective on the court while relinquishing some of his on-ball duties.
As James has gotten older and farther along in his career, he’s become a much more efficient three-point shooter. This past season he shot 37.6 percent from three-point range, the fourth-highest mark for his career. In 2023-24, he shot 41 percent from distance, the second-highest mark in his career. Over the past four seasons, he’s averaged around 6.4 attempts from the three-point line, up from his career average of 4.7.
With the defensive pressure that Doncic is able to draw, don’t be surprised to see James’ three-point percentage take a big leap this season.
