For the first time in two decades, the NBA is watching something it has never seen before: a 40-year-old LeBron James still expected to anchor a championship chase. With LeBron back to suit up next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers finally have their full roster back. But beneath the excitement lies a far more complicated question of how much longer they can lean on the league’s oldest and most used superstar?

Byron Scott, the man who coached Kobe Bryant through the final stretch of his legendary career, knows exactly what it’s like to manage an aging icon who refuses to slow down. Scott has lived this battle before. And now, he believes LeBron and the Lakers head coach, JJ Redick, are standing at the same crossroads he once faced with Kobe.

In an exclusive conversation with EssentiallySports’ Tim Wood on the More From the Floor Podcast, Scott stressed that Redick and LeBron must acknowledge the harsh truth of time’s impact:

“LeBron and JJ, they have to come to that realization, too, that this is this man’s 22nd, 23rd year in this league. You got to make sure he’s ready for the first round of the playoffs, and obviously, to cut his minutes down and things like that.”

The Lakers must reinforce their roster if they truly want to preserve James and survive a challenging Western Conference. For Scott, it is the same blueprint he wished he had while trying to manage a declining but still brilliant Kobe. 

But Scott also knows LeBron’s history, that James has never embraced minute restrictions or load management. LeBron flat-out hates the idea of being limited. The Lakers even tested it in 2019, and he shut it down after one game. So, a word of advice followed for the Lakers’ Number 23, too:

“LeBron has to also agree with that and understand; that’s how it’s got to be right now.”

This time, though, LeBron’s outlook has shifted. His camp recently met with the Lakers’ front office to support an “overly cautious” plan designed to preserve him for the postseason. And for the first time in his career, he can afford it. 

Luka Doncic has taken control of the offense, averaging a league-high 34.6 points, and even without James, the Lakers won 10 of 14 games behind Doncic and the surging Austin Reaves. Reaves’ rise has further strengthened the Lakers’ confidence in managing LeBron conservatively through the regular season. 

The undrafted guard has grown into a dynamic scorer, forming a natural on-court rhythm with Doncic that keeps the offense humming. His development gives the Lakers room to be patient with James, something Scott is thrilled about, praising Reaves for becoming a key piece of their evolving identity.

Byron Scott is in awe of Austin Reaves, but asks the Lakers to add more

Scott, who once trained alongside Kobe Bryant, has always valued work ethic above all else. And with Austin Reaves, he sees the same hunger to keep elevating his game.

“This guy is one of the best players at that position in the league, and again, it just goes back to number one, believing in yourself, and number two, your work ethic. And he’s been able to put in that great work ethic, and he has a lot of trust and a lot of faith in himself that if he goes through the process, he’s going to be okay,” Scott said on the podcast, praising Reaves’ belief in himself and the relentless effort he pours into his craft.

Reaves’ growth is undeniable. Once overlooked, he’s now averaging 28.1 points per game, 8th in the league, and his surge helped the Lakers stay afloat without LeBron James. Reaves has completed the Lakers’ “three-headed monster,” joining James and Luka Doncic as foundational stars, per Scott. 

But there’s a caution too. Today’s NBA demands more than star power. To truly contend, the Lakers need a deeper, more reliable supporting cast that can maintain the standard when the stars are absent or on rotation.

“With the one thing that OKC and Indiana proved to all of us last year is that you still have to have nine or 10 deep. And so when you come off that bench, your drop can’t be so significant that you (have) got to bring the starters back in, always kind of climb back into it,” Scott said. 

The Lakers will need to explore additional moves by the trade deadline, particularly in areas where they can improve. Notably, their offense doesn’t focus on three-point shooting, resulting in a 51% field goal conversion rate. But in today’s NBA, spacing is just as crucial as efficiency, and Los Angeles still lacks the perimeter threat needed.

Currently, the Lakers rank 28th in three-pointers made per game, which is a major limitation for a team aiming to contend deep into the season. Doncic and Reaves generate attempts, but the efficiency isn’t there.

Also, Gabe Vincent’s return provides some hope, especially after his confident shooting display against the Utah Jazz. Yet to truly elevate their ceiling, the Lakers will need more than just glimpses. They need an additional shooter by February, which could reshape their entire identity. But even in this, there are certain improvements.

De’andre Ayton is beginning to find his rhythm, showing growing comfort alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Marcus Smart has also given them a defensive jolt; the team posts a 108.1 defensive rating with him on the floor, the second-best mark in the league.

JJ Redick has built this offense around crisp ball movement, giving the Lakers a clear structure and rhythm. With proper spacing, that system could reach another level. And Scott trusts Rob Pelinka to make that one move to shift the pendulum again. Will the Lakers finally make the necessary upgrade? Share your thoughts in the comments below