LeBron James isn’t hiding what he wants from his 2025/26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After two decades in the league and a resume already overflowing with achievements, it seems the time is now for the 40-year-old to add to his trophy cabinet.
Speaking with co-host Steve Nash on the Mind The Game podcast, the 40-year-old star made it clear that he views his role on this year’s team as completely adaptable to what the team requires.
“Listen, all I care about is winning,” James said. “I’ve done everything in my career, including winning, and I want to continue that. So I will very easily just fit myself right on in and whatever capacity the team needs me to be in.”
A significant part of James‘ evolution this season has involved adjusting to the presence of Luka Doncic, who is playing at an MVP-caliber level. James described how his responsibilities shift when sharing the floor with someone who commands so much defensive attention.
“When you have a great point guard like Luka who creates so many eyes around him, one of the best things I can do is slash in from that 45 or wait if a guy is tagging high on DA or tagging high on Jaxson,” he explained.
Whether drifting behind the defense for lobs or spotting up beyond the arc, James said he invested heavily in his shooting during his injury recovery, especially at times when his body was not ready for intense physical work.
New role on revamped Lakers roster
James emphasized that his ability to adapt is not new. He elaborated that being effective might mean catching and shooting off passes from Doncic or Austin Reaves, setting screens in transition, slipping pick-and-rolls, or slowing down the game to create post-up opportunities.
“Whatever the case may be,” James said, “what JJ and the coaching staff have done so far is exceptional with so many injuries. However the pie shapes itself offensively, how they want me to implement myself, I’m ready.”
Since returning from a sciatica injury, James is averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 assists, five rebounds and one steal while shooting 48 percent from the field in 32 minutes.
The Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, but the biggest talking point heading into the game may be the presence of Anthony Davis, as he is set to make his return to the court against his former team.
Davis sustained the injury on October 29 in a game against the Indiana Pacers, missing 14 straight contests. During that stretch, the Mavericks went just 3-11, struggling to regain form without their big man.
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