The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the NBA's biggest surprises to start the 2025-26 season, and Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes they should keep their winning formula intact even when LeBron James returns from injury. 

Pierce's Bold Proposal

Pierce didn't mince words when discussing James' eventual return from sciatica, which has kept the 40-year-old sidelined for the entire season so far.

The former NBA Finals MVP suggested that James should embrace a bench role to preserve the chemistry that has propelled Los Angeles to a 7-3 record entering Monday's matchup against Charlotte.

"When LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench," Pierce said on the Ticket and The Truth podcast. "I'm just saying for the chemistry of it. He can still give you the same production, but off the bench it'll work because his game and Luka's game don't work together."

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Doncic's Dominant Start

Pierce's comments stem from Luka Doncic's scorching hot start to the season, which has established him as the Lakers' primary offensive weapon.

The 26-year-old Slovenian superstar has been nothing short of sensational without James in the lineup, averaging 37.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game through the first 10 games of the season.

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Doncic's production has been historic, including three consecutive 40-point games to open the season, making him just the second player in NBA history to accomplish that feat alongside Wilt Chamberlain.

The Chemistry Question

The debate centers on whether James and Dončić can coexist effectively when both are ball-dominant players who thrive with the ball in their hands.

Pierce referenced the Lakers' first-round playoff exit last season against Minnesota as evidence that the pairing hasn't worked seamlessly, though that series featured both stars dealing with injuries and playing under different circumstances.

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However, the numbers from last season tell a more positive story.

When James returned from a groin injury in March to face Memphis, he, Doncic and Austin Reaves became the first trio in NBA history to each record 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two made three-pointers in the same game.

Lakers Thriving Without LeBron

Los Angeles has flourished during James' absence, ranking fifth in offensive rating at 117.7 and shooting 52.9 percent from the field as a team.

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Reaves has emerged as a legitimate All-Star candidate, averaging 31.1 points and 9.3 assists per game while serving as the Lakers' secondary playmaker alongside Doncic.

The Lakers' offseason acquisitions have also paid immediate dividends, with Marcus Smart providing defensive toughness and secondary ball-handling, Deandre Ayton averaging 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds at center, and Jake LaRavia adding crucial three-point shooting off the bench.

The Road Ahead

James is expected to return sometime in mid-to-late November after being cleared for contact basketball activities and beginning his ramp-up to five-on-five work.

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Lakers head coach JJ Redick will face the challenging task of integrating James back into a system that has been clicking without him while ensuring the team doesn't lose the momentum that has them sitting second in the Western Conference standings.

With both players possessing elite basketball IQs and a full offseason together heading into this season, the Lakers are betting that the fit will be smoother than Pierce predicts.