LeBron James is expected to miss multiple weeks with a groin injury, but it could mean good things to come for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since adding  for the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best teams in the NBA, finally having an  on Sunday as they fell to the Boston Celtics.

In that game, Doncic delivered one of his best games as a Laker, posting 34 points and eight rebounds on very efficient shooting. LeBron James was his normal fantastic self, but he

According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, James’ injury is not incredibly serious, but he will miss at least the next one or two weeks.

However, that doesn’t mean the Lakers have lost all hope, nor should they.

LeBron’s injury will allow Luka to thrive

Since joining the Lakers in early February, f his entire NBA career, excluding the Mavericks’ run to the Finals last season. However, while his play has been turned into wins, he hasn’t been the all-around offensive maestro many expected him to be.

In Los Angeles, Doncic is averaging 24.7 points on 41.1% shooting from the floor to go with 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists, which are remarkable numbers, although they are down from his career averages. In fact, all of those numbers aside from the shooting percentages are the lowest numbers since his rookie season, and his 41.1% mark is the lowest of his entire American career.

That can largely be chalked up to his fit within the Lakers’ system, although he will be given offensive control with James out.

“It obviously hurts when you’re taking LeBron James off any team, they’re going to be worse, but I think this is a perfect time,” said Chandler Parsons on FanDuel’s Run It Back. “I think this is great long term for the rest of the season for Luka to get his rhythm for him to get going.

“Obviously, we know he missed some time before he got traded. Now he’s coming. He’s kind of trying to get his feet wet, trying to get everybody else involved.”

Luka has a ‘great opportunity’

As the Lakers prepare for a deep playoff run, the team would almost certainly sacrifice regular-season success for guaranteed postseason wins, and Doncic getting a bigger role all but cements that. While there could be some growing pains, the Lakers are not concerned about March, they have their eyes set on June.

“This is a great opportunity for him to fully have the keys, get his legs, get his conditioning all in tip-top shape going down the stretch of the season,” Parsons continued. “So honestly, I think it might work to their favor.”

Last year, Doncic willed the Mavericks through the playoffs and to the Finals, and it’s hard to say that his supporting cast this season isn’t better than last year’s, so once James returns, the Lakers could be even more dangerous than they already are.