Former NBA Player Makes Shocking Take About Lakers Star Duo
The Los Angeles Lakers have been short-handed to start the season, but that hasn’t stopped Austin Reaves from lighting up the scoreboard.
With both Luka Doncic and LeBron James sidelined, Reaves has taken control of the Lakers’ offense — and he’s thriving. Over his last three games, the 26-year-old guard has posted scoring lines of 51, 41, and 28 points, including a 16-assist effort in a win over the Timberwolves.
Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Doncic’s injuries — a finger sprain and leg contusion — are minor and he’s expected back soon. James, however, is still recovering from sciatica and may not return until mid-November.
Lakers Star Takes Center Stage
Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after the Lakers made a basket.
In the meantime, Reaves has embraced being the focal point of the Lakers’ offense. His shot creation, playmaking, and efficiency have all spiked in his expanded role.
Still, the reality is that when Doncic and James return, Reaves’ scoring opportunities will shrink. He’ll likely shift back to being a complementary piece — the same steady third option that made him a fan favorite last season.
That said, not everyone thinks Reaves’ breakout stretch is temporary.
Former NBA Veteran Makes Bold Claim About Reaves and James
Nine-year NBA veteran Chandler Parsons shared a surprising take on FanDuel TV, predicting that Reaves could actually outproduce LeBron statistically this season.
“At the end of the season, I think Austin Reaves’ numbers will be better than LeBron James’ numbers,” Parsons said. “How many minutes is LeBron James gonna play? How many games is he gonna play? [Austin Reaves] is going to be, hopefully, consistent throughout the whole season.”
(FanDuel TV)
Parsons cited James’ age and workload management as the main reasons for his projection. James will turn 41 in December, and while the Lakers haven’t revealed a specific rest plan, it’s expected that he’ll play fewer than the 70 games he appeared in last season.
Lakers Veteran Still a Force
Not everyone agreed with Parsons’ assessment. Former NBA star Lou Williams quickly pushed back, reminding fans that James remains one of the league’s most productive players when healthy.
“We’re talking about LeBron James,” Williams said. “We’re also talking about somebody who still averaged 24, 25 points last year. Until we see something change in his play, besides injuries, he’s still LeBron James.”
(FanDuel TV)
James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season — elite production for any player, let alone one entering his 23rd season. Even if he sees a dip in minutes or scoring, his impact on both ends remains undeniable.
The Lakers’ Bottom Line
Reaves’ emergence has been one of the early bright spots for the Lakers. With injuries testing their depth, his ability to take over games has kept them competitive and energized.
Parsons’ prediction may sound bold, but it speaks to how far Reaves has come in just a few seasons. From an undrafted rookie, he has grown into one of the Lakers’ most trusted players.
Once Doncic and LeBron return, his numbers will likely balance out, but his confidence and importance aren’t going anywhere.
Cubs Favored To Replace Kyle Tucker With $182 Million Red Sox Superstar
The Chicago Cubs took a risk and acquired Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade last winter, but the superstar is now a free agent. It seems like he’s going to leave town in free agency, as he’s projected to sign for north of $400 million, so the Cubs will need to do their best to replace his production.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib recently suggested the Cubs could replace Tucker’s production by signing Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman. Bregman was recently projected to sign a massive $182 million contract in free agency, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
“The guess here is that the Cubs make a strong push for Alex Bregman. The Cubs identified Bregman as the piece last offseason that could transition them from being a good team into a great team,” Campbell wrote. “They weren’t wrong, but the problem was that the Cubs made a pursuit of Bregman a priority far too late in the offseason. The Boston Red Sox likely will make a strong push to bring Bregman back, but the Cubs being involved shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Bregman has been a solid fit for the Cubs for the last year, and they seemingly took a shot on him last free agency, but he opted to sign with the Red Sox.
This offseason, the Cubs need to prioritize landing an impact bat, whether it’s Tucker or a replacement. Bregman would fit that mold, especially considering the fact that he’s projected to sign for half the money.
It won’t be a cake walk for the Cubs to sign Bregman, but it’s certainly a possibility.
