Former Toronto Raptors coach issues blunt reality check on LeBron James

LeBron James, on his 23rd season in the NBA, is way past his prime at the moment. At least that is what former Toronto Raptors coach, Sam Mitchell thinks. The Los Angeles Lakers star has had an incredible run in his career as a professional basketball player. But now, just 3 days shy of his 41st birthday, age is catching up to him on the court, and he has missed quite a few games so far this season.

But even so, he has been constantly putting in the work, and making every game a priority whenever he is on the court. But if you ask Mitchell, James is not a first choice anymore. According to the former Raptors coach, whichever team he goes to now will not see him as a priority, even though he is considered one of the greatest ever basketball players, but his time has passed.

Is LeBron James truly past his prime?

In the 2025-26 NBA season, LeBron James has averaged 20.2 PTS, 5.1 REB, and 6.8 AST so far, having played only 13 games for the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed out the beginning of the season, playing his first game during the Lakers 15th game of the season against the Utah Jazz. In a 140-126 win against the Utah team, James scored 11 PTS, 3 REB, and 12 AST in 30 minutes, showing off he still has what it takes.


Former coach Sam Mitchell though does not think James has the same power anymore that he once did. According to him, let alone the Lakers, not even the Washington Wizards would consider Bron as the first option anymore. He was recently at a show for SiriusXM, where he said,

“This is what LeBron doesn’t understand, it hasn’t sunk in. Whatever team you go to, you’re the 3rd option. You’re not going to a team when you’re the 1st option anymore. If you went to the Washington Wizards, you would still not be the number 1 option.”

James has started all 13 games he has played for the Lakers so far this season. His average numbers are pretty good, although not on par with what he averaged during his peak time in career. This might very well be his last season in the league before he takes the final bow, and fans are just having fun watching him play for as long as possible.

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