The Los Angeles Lakers will open their season on October 21 against the Golden State Warriors in a marquee matchup. However, with LeBron James ruled out for the next three to four weeks, the most famous player in the NBA won’t suit up.
Between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers should be able to find the points James would usually produce elsewhere. The Lakers were already unsure about their starting lineup, and James’ absence brings up even more questions.
It’s safe to assume that Rui Hachimura will join Doncic, Reaves, and Deandre Ayton in the starting five. Will James’ replacement be a small guard like Marcus Smart or Gabe Vincent? Or will the Lakers prioritize spacing, tossing Jake LaRavia out there?
Of course, Los Angeles could use James’ injury to establish some trade value.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 4, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) stand back on defense against the New Orleans Pelicans late in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on April 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
James’ Injury Could Improve Dalton Knecht’s Value
The Lakers have long been open about their willingness to trade Dalton Knecht. In fact, they did trade him last season before Mark Williams failed a physical, and the deal was revoked.
After a fairly disappointing rookie season and a horrid summer league, Knecht’s trade value has never been lower. If James is healthy, it’s reasonable to assume that Knecht would languish on the bench as the Lakers chase a title.
With James out, the Lakers suddenly have minutes to fill. Both Reaves and Doncic are capable of taking over James’ playmaking duties, so Vincent will likely remain with the second unit.
If the Lakers want to bolster their defense, Smart is the correct choice. However, if they want a reliable shooter to space the floor, Knecht went 37.6% from deep last season.
If Knecht sees an early minutes increase to kick off the season, he could raise his trade value to an all-time high, allowing the Lakers to hold onto their limited draft capital in a possible midseason deal for a win-now player.
Knecht Isn’t The Only Option to Replace James
There aren’t a lot of players in the NBA who can replicate James’ all-around production. With about 30 minutes per game vanished to open the season, the Lakers should give Knecht some chances, but he won’t be the only one to step up into a big role.
Building up Knecht’s trade value is a massive priority for Los Angeles, but so is seeing exactly how good Bronny James could be. Who better to replace James in the lineup than his own flesh and blood?
“LeBron James getting hurt could open the door for another LeBron James to play,” wrote CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn on October 9th. “Bronny is obviously a good deal smaller than his father. They play different positions. But the Lakers are relatively fluid positionally.”
Bronny is a high-level defender who brings a splash of athleticism to the lineup that Smart doesn’t quite have. While Smart is the safe option for sure, there will be more than enough minutes to go around.
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