The conversation surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers has always been defined by supernova talent and outsized expectations. Yet, the current composition of their core—LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the homegrown sensation Austin Reaves—is sparking a discussion that goes beyond mere championship contention. It’s a seismic debate about historical greatness: Are LeBron, Luka, and Reaves the greatest ball-handling Big Three in NBA history?

It sounds like a wild, almost hyperbolic claim, but when you look closely at the combined mix of offensive control, playmaking versatility, and effortless shot creation this trio possesses, the argument suddenly becomes compelling, even undeniable. This is a unit that doesn’t just create buckets for themselves; they make the entire team flow, elevating their teammates in a way that truly separates them from players focused solely on padding personal statistics.

When comparing them to modern powerhouses, one instantly recalls the Brooklyn Nets’ ill-fated triumvirate of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant. That Nets team, despite its staggering talent, failed to realize its potential, a disaster the narrator suggests could have been hours in the making. The crucial difference is the Lakers’ current trio offers a blend of pure versatility, offensive rhythm, and an almost magical ability to generate plays from nothing that stands in a class of its own. Even a massive supporter of James Harden’s brilliance, who puts his legendary 2018 Rockets run on the same tier as championship seasons, has to admit: “I’ll take the Lakers current big three without hesitation and I’m not even sure it’s close.” The truth is, this Lakers squad, with its three elite creators, is flat-out dangerous, presenting opponents with a three-headed problem that demands constant attention and respect.

The Engine of History: LeBron’s 23rd Season Revelation

The focal point of this historic argument, of course, is LeBron James. Now making history as the first player ever to reach 23 seasons, the narrative surrounding him shifted from questions of decline to appreciation of his evolving genius. In his 40s, and even coming off a sciatica injury, the legendary player remains the engine and the undeniable heartbeat of this entire operation, still the man everyone looks to.

The most intriguing aspect of his return was not the scoring—though he can still take over whenever he wants—but his immediate and profound embrace of the point guard role. Facilitating, as the narrative explains, is where LeBron finds his rhythm, a principle proven by his career-high 10.2 assists average during the 2019-2020 championship season.

In his season debut against the Utah Jazz, LeBron’s performance was a masterclass in playmaking. Playing 30 minutes, he finished with 11 points and a staggering 12 assists against just one turnover. He was in full command, reading the floor and throwing on-time passes like a true maestro. The team didn’t even need him to score big; Austin Reaves dropped 26 and Luka Dončić went off for 37, proving that LeBron’s greatest current strength is his ability to elevate those around him and make the offense function seamlessly.

The Crucial Third Piece: Austin Reaves and the ‘Linsanity’ Fear

The true measure of this Lakers trio, however, rests on the shoulders of the former undrafted free agent, Austin Reaves. Reaves is not just a role player; he is a necessary perimeter creator whose sustained confidence and aggression will determine the team’s ceiling.

Luka Dončić himself, who clearly holds great admiration for LeBron, called Reaves an “amazing player,” expressing disbelief that he went undrafted and emphasizing that it is not easy to play at this high level. Reaves has already proven his worth, putting up 30 points in four games over five nights, and more importantly, he gained the deep trust of LeBron James during last season’s playoffs against Memphis. LeBron revealed his approach was a strategic “chess move”: giving Reaves the ball in the fourth quarter of a key game, saying, “AR, let’s go win it for us,” knowing that instilling that confidence would pay “dividends for the rest of my time with him.”

Despite this proven value, the specter of diminished responsibility haunted Reaves’ return. Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal even hinted at a “Linsanity” scenario, expressing concern that LeBron’s return would force Reaves back into that dreaded corner spot, standing and waiting to take last-second threes. This was a fair concern, recalling the exact kinds of shots Reaves was forced into during the Timberwolves series last season.

Yet, the debut game against the Jazz shut down the noise immediately. Reaves’ 26-point performance made it clear he wasn’t fading into the background. He looked comfortable, confident, and very much a part of the flow, not a spectator waiting in the corner. His ability to explode for 41 points against Portland or hang 51 on Sacramento, as he did earlier in the season, is the mindset the Lakers desperately need him to maintain. When Reaves is active, aggressive, and respected as a threat, the floor spacing opens up, and defenses can’t easily double Luka or LeBron, turning the Lakers into the three-headed monster they need to be.

The Unsolved Equation: Role Players and the Defensive Red Flag

While the offensive potential of the Big Three is unprecedented, every championship contender requires balance, relying on “role players who grind in the shadows” and handle the “gritty, unglamorous work.” This is where the Lakers’ equation becomes unstable.

The team completely lost its balance last season following the infamous Luka Dončić trade, an error that left JJ Redick scrambling to fill a massive hole inside after losing an elite rim protector. Fixing this lack of stability became the front office’s top priority this past offseason. However, General Manager Rob Pelinka had a surprisingly quiet summer, relying on buyouts to acquire familiar names like Marcus Smart and DeAndre Ayton. The fact that these acquisitions came via buyout—and the associated rumors of Ayton losing his passion for the game—left longtime fans wondering how much either player truly had left to offer.

The absence of LeBron in recent tough losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks only amplified the existing structural cracks. The OKC game, in particular, was a wake-up call, with Luka running into a buzzsaw defense that blitzed him hard, forcing turnovers left and right. After the game, Redick admitted the team “couldn’t score against the zone” and lamented that he couldn’t just “dump it to LeBron at the high post” to dissect the defense, confirming that even the secondary stars struggled to cope when the engine was absent.

Most alarmingly, the Lakers’ defense has emerged as a “massive red flag.” Giving up 71 points in the first half to the Utah Jazz in LeBron’s debut is not just bad; it’s a pace that would have seen Utah score a ridiculous 142 points for the game, far exceeding the league’s top scoring averages. Even after Utah cooled off, finishing with 126 points, that total still surpassed the scoring average of the NBA’s current top offensive teams.

While LeBron helped hold things together defensively last season, heading toward 41 and coming off a nagging injury, it is a legitimate concern whether he can continue carrying that defensive load. The Lakers might simply be planning to outscore everyone this year, a strategy that is plausible given the offensive firepower, but relies entirely on the defense not slipping further. The performance of DeAndre Ayton, whose size, timing, and patience could be exactly what the offense needs to stay balanced and what the defense needs for a rim presence, will become critical in the coming weeks.

The Inevitable Conclusion

The chemistry, as demonstrated by the fast, crisp, and natural-looking sequences—from a no-look dime on the fast break to a quarterback-like outlet pass leading to an effortless layup—already looks legitimate. The notion that the Lakers can casually swap out LeBron for Luka is “just wild” and a painful reality for rival teams, illustrating the incredible depth of playmaking talent on the roster.

The potential for this Big Three to be considered the best offensive unit ever assembled is real, but the season is young, and the ultimate success hinges on three key factors:

Sustaining the AR Confidence: The team must keep “real emphasis on Austin Reeves as the season goes on,” ensuring he maintains the mindset of an aggressive secondary playmaker, not a corner shooter.

Role Player Integration: Ayton and Smart must prove they still have enough in the tank to provide the necessary defensive and structural balance.

Fixing the Flaw: The defense must be patched up to avoid turning every game into a high-scoring shootout, which drains energy and shortens the career longevity of its aging star.

If these elements align, the Lakers will be an unprecedented force, capable of winning in multiple ways and fielding one of the most historically dominant offensive cores the league has ever witnessed. It’s an unfolding drama that offers a bit of everything: chemistry, controversy, and the undeniable flashes of greatness that keep fans obsessed.

The final question remains: Do you believe this Lakers squad, despite the defensive red flags, has what it truly takes to go all the way, or are they still missing something key to sustain a championship run?