LeBron James is ramping up his return as the Lakers prepare for another title push, but don’t expect to see him on the court anytime soon. According to recent reports, while the 40-year-old star has started on-court workouts and basketball activities, the team doesn’t expect him to play during the preseason. Instead, the focus is on getting him ready for opening night against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
“I’m told LeBron James has started to ramp up, he’s doing a little bit on the court,” said ESPN’s Shams Charania. “But I’m told the expectation still is that he’s likely going to be out for the preseason. The goal is to be ready for opening night on October 21 against the Golden State Warriors. He’s doing more and more on the court, starting to do more basketball activities but we’ll see if he’s able to get a game in before opening night.”
Coach JJ Redick confirmed this week that Luka Doncic will be active in some preseason games as he prepares to start his first full season. LeBron James, meanwhile, is taking a much more cautious approach with his health and it’s why he’s been ruled out of action until opening night later this month.
At 40 years old, going into his 23rd season, time is a valuable resource for James and he cannot afford to be interrupted by injuries. With retirement a possibility at any stage now, the Lakers know how important it is to manage LeBron’s workload and ensure whatever time he has left is spent with maximum efficiency. By giving James some extra time to ramp up and prepare his body, they can ensure he has the best odds of avoiding any setbacks that might limit his time or effectiveness on the court.
Regardless, LeBron James plans to be ready by opening night and that’s really the most important thing for the Lakers. As someone who has done this routine 23 times now, LeBron doesn’t need a preseason to get into game shape. He’s been working all summer and believes the Lakers have a chance to win it all.
Only time will tell if he’s right, but a strong start will be important in meeting their goals. With averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season, we know that James will have no problems living up to his usual standards, but are his teammates ready to carry the load? On paper, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton are more than enough and we can trust head coach JJ Redick to bring the best out of them.
Regardless of what happens in the opening weeks, LeBron’s presence means the Lakers have a chance and if he’s healthy it’s a good sign for the state of the team. That’s why it’s so imperative to limit his time in the preseason and keep him fresh for the games that matter.
LeBron’s earned the right to move at his own pace, and the Lakers are doing everything they can to make sure he finishes on his terms. After 23 years of dominance, his preparation doesn’t need proving in preseason action. What matters is how he looks when the lights come on and the games count. If the Lakers can keep him healthy and motivated, there’s no telling how far this team can go.
