LeBron James: NBA's Elite Third Option?

Initially struggling as a tertiary option, James has completely committed to the new role, leading to remarkable results. The Lakers now outscore opponents by 8.5 points per 100 possessions when James is on the court, compared to being outscored by 5.4 points per 100 possessions when he sits.

The shift follows a period where the Lakers performed better without James (-0.4 points per 100 possessions with him on court). Now, his decreased usage percentage has allowed stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to thrive while James contributes his veteran leadership and scoring efficiency from a reduced role.