Lakers make rotation change with LeBron James,…
SAN FRANCISCO — Lost in the frustration of the Lakers’ street loss to the Suns on Thursday was the fact coach JJ Redick made a change that ought to benefit the workforce in the long run.
The Lakers adjusted their rotation to enable Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to be on the ground more, while also having LeBron James play longer in lineups without the workforce’s star guards — a resolution that data recommended is the fitting transfer.
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
In the workforce’s three earlier video games before Thursday, with Reaves rejoining the beginning lineup after being on a playing-time restriction pre-All-Star break, the Lakers’ rotation went in this sample after beginning video games with Doncic, Reaves, James, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton:
Smart and Ayton could be the first Lakers to be subbed out, with Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes subbing in;
Rui Hachimura would sub in for James not too long after the initial sub if he didn’t come in with LaRavia and Hayes, preserving Doncic and Reaves on the ground for a minute or two without James until Luke Kennard subbed in for Reaves;
Reaves and James could be on the court to start the second quarter without Doncic, who performed most if not all of the first quarter;
Doncic would close out the last six to seven minutes of the second, with Reaves and James getting breaks in the center of the quarter before subbing back in for the ultimate few minutes of the half.
The sample, which the Lakers also adopted in the second half, led to James and Reaves enjoying most of their minutes together — 30.2 per recreation in the first three video games after the break, including about 10 minutes without Doncic on the ground. And if the Lakers performed lineups with just one of their stars on the ground, Doncic would often lead those teams.
That modified against the Suns.
Doncic and Reaves have been those who have been on the ground together more — 36 minutes in Phoenix — while James opened the second and fourth quarters without either of them on the ground for a few minutes. James and Reaves barely performed without Doncic also on the ground against the Suns.
The choices align with constructive season-long trends for the Lakers.
Lineups with Doncic and Reaves on the ground and James on the bench have outscored opponents by 11.9 factors per 100 possessions, according to databallr, in contrast with lineups with James and Reaves on the ground without Doncic being outscored by 4.2 factors per 100 possessions.
PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the sport against the Phoenix Suns on February 26, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
And among lineups with just one of the workforce’s stars on the ground, James-led items fared better than Doncic- or Reaves-led lineups.
The change, at least by the numbers, didn’t initially repay.
The Lakers have been outscored by 5 factors in the 11 minutes Doncic and Reaves have been on the ground without James.
The James-led teams didn’t play at their anticipated degree, either.
The Lakers have been at their best when all three have been on the ground, which is ironic contemplating that hasn’t been the case for most of the season.
They outscored the Suns by 16 factors in the 25 minutes the trio performed — which also means they have been outscored by 19 factors in the 23 minutes that had any other lineup not that includes Doncic, James and Reaves on the ground together.
Whether the Lakers will stick with the change in rotation patterns will probably be a development to observe. But the adjustment is value seeing through based on how the season has gone.
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