The Lakers are a weird team. Honestly, if you look at the box score of a random Tuesday night game in Crypto.com Arena, you might see D'Angelo Russell bringing the ball up, but anyone who actually watches the tape knows he isn't always the one "running the point." It’s a term that has become increasingly fluid in the modern NBA, especially under the coaching philosophy of JJ Redick, who seems obsessed with movement over traditional roles.
If you’re asking who is running point for the Lakers, the answer depends entirely on which four-minute stretch of the game you’re watching. Is it the traditional lead guard? Is it the greatest point-forward in the history of the sport? Or is it a secondary creator like Austin Reaves who has basically forced his way into a major playmaking role?
Let’s get into the weeds of how this roster actually functions.
The LeBron James Factor: The Point Guard in a Power Forward’s Body
LeBron James is nearly 41 years old. In any other era of basketball, a guy his age would be a spot-up shooter or a veteran presence on the bench waving a towel. Instead, LeBron remains the primary engine. When the game slows down in the fourth quarter, there is zero doubt about who is running point.
He operates out of the "high horns" sets or initiates from the top of the key. His gravity is so immense that even when he isn't technically the "point guard" on the roster sheet, the ball finds him. According to NBA tracking data, LeBron’s time of possession often rivals that of elite small guards. He sees the skip pass before the defender even thinks about rotating. It’s a gift. But the Lakers have tried to move away from "LeBron-ball" because, frankly, it’s exhausting for a man in his 22nd season.
They need him to be a finisher, not just a facilitator. That’s where the confusion starts for the casual fan. You’ll see LeBron sprinting to the corner to floor-space while someone else initiates. This isn't because he can't do it; it’s because he shouldn't have to do it for 36 minutes a night anymore.
D’Angelo Russell and the Traditional Role
D'Lo is the most traditional answer to the question. He has the handle. He has the vision. When he’s in a rhythm, his pick-and-roll chemistry with Anthony Davis is genuinely elite. They have this little pocket pass game that looks like it’s played on a string.
However, D'Lo's role has been a bit of a roller coaster. Under Redick, there's been a massive emphasis on "0.5 basketball"—making a decision in half a second. You either shoot, pass, or drive. Russell likes to dance with the ball. He likes the rhythm dribble. When the Lakers' offense stagnates, it’s often because the "running point" duties have become too centered on D'Lo's individual pace rather than the team's flow.
There’s also the bench factor. We’ve seen stretches where D’Lo comes off the pine to stabilize the second unit. In those minutes, he is the undisputed general. He’s the one barking out coverages and setting the table for guys like Jaxson Hayes or Dalton Knecht. But in the starting lineup? He’s often the third or fourth option to actually initiate the offense.
Austin Reaves: The Secret Primary Creator
If you talk to NBA scouts, they’ll tell you Austin Reaves is the guy the Lakers actually want with the ball in high-leverage spots. Reaves has this "prodding" style of play. He’s not the fastest guy on the court, but he’s incredibly adept at getting a defender on his hip and keeping them there.
Last season, we saw a significant jump in Reaves' usage rate. He started taking on more of the classic point guard responsibilities—bringing the ball up against pressure, calling out the sets, and managing the clock. He’s less of a "pure" passer than LeBron, but he’s more of a threat to get to the free-throw line, which changes the math for the defense.
When people ask who is running point for the Lakers during a crucial 3rd-quarter run, it’s frequently Reaves. He’s become the bridge between the aging superstars and the rest of the roster.
The Problem With Labels
We should probably stop using the term "point guard" for this team. It’s more of a "point committee."
Think about it this way:
- Transition: Usually whoever gets the rebound, though they prefer it to be LeBron or Reaves to kickstart the break.
- Early Clock: D'Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent (when healthy) setting the initial action.
- The "Crunch Time" Pivot: Everything goes through LeBron at the elbow.
- The AD Variable: Sometimes the offense runs through Anthony Davis at the top of the key in a "hub" role, similar to how Nikola Jokic or Domantas Sabonis operate. Is AD running point then? Technically, no. Functionally? Sort of.
Why This Structure Actually Matters for the Playoffs
The Lakers’ lack of a singular, dominant point guard is actually a strategic choice—or at least a necessary evolution. In the playoffs, teams take away your "Plan A." If your Plan A is "Give the ball to the small guard and let him cook," a team like the Nuggets or the Suns will blitz him and force the ball out of his hands.
By having three or four guys who can "run point," the Lakers become harder to scout. You can’t just "trap the point guard" because the guy catching the release pass is probably a 6'9" billionaire with 20 years of experience who can make you pay instantly.
Gabe Vincent is the dark horse here. He was brought in to be that defensive-minded floor general who doesn't need the ball to be effective. His injuries have made it hard to see the full vision, but when he’s right, he provides a point-of-attack defense that neither D'Lo nor Reaves can offer. He "runs point" by simply keeping the defense honest and moving the ball to the stars.
The Role of Coaching
JJ Redick has brought a more structured, almost "Warriors-lite" motion to the Lakers. There’s a lot more off-ball screening. In this system, the person "running point" might just be the person who happens to be at the top of the arc when the play resets.
It’s less about who is dribbling and more about who is making the read.
👉 See also: Kobe Bryant Gold Rookie Card: Why It’s Still the King of the Hobby
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to figure out how the Lakers' offense is performing, don't just look at assists. Watch the "hockey assist" (the pass that leads to the assist).
- Monitor the First 6 Minutes: See who initiates the first three sets. If it's Austin Reaves, the Lakers are trying to get LeBron to conserve energy. If it's LeBron, they’re likely trying to exploit a specific mismatch early.
- Watch the Rebound-to-Transition Phase: The Lakers are deadliest when they don't wait for a "point guard" to take the ball. If AD boards it and clears it to Reaves immediately, the pace stays high. When they wait for D'Lo to walk it up, the offense often struggles against set defenses.
- Identify the "Closer": In the last two minutes of a one-possession game, the "who is running point" debate ends. It’s LeBron James. If it's anyone else, something has gone wrong or LeBron is being used as a decoy (which is rare but effective).
The Lakers' backcourt is a revolving door of responsibilities. It’s a feature, not a bug. Understanding that D'Lo is the spark, Reaves is the connector, and LeBron is the ultimate authority is the only way to make sense of how this team moves the rock. Stop looking for a traditional 1-through-5 lineup; the Lakers haven't played that way in years.