As the Lakers continue another highly competitive season, one of the biggest questions hovering over the team is how they will handle LeBron James’ workload. Now entering Year 23, James is in territory no NBA player has ever reached at this level, and the organization knows it must balance his availability with long-term preservation. During his pre-game press conference, head coach JJ Redick was asked about the team’s plan to manage LeBron throughout the year.
“We’ll do what we did last year, which is daily communication with him, with Mike,” Redick said, via Lakers Nation. “We’re gonna have to use the word uncharted territory a few times and we’re gonna have to just manage this as best we can given that there’s no precedent for it. He knows his body better than anyone. We’ll figure out how to get him rest when he needs rest.”
James, 40, made his season debut tonight after missing the Lakers’ first 14 games. He had been dealing with a sciatica injury that interrupted his entire offseason schedule, but he finally returned to practice last week, marking the final step toward his comeback.
Now, he is officially back in action for his historic 23rd campaign, and it could not have come at a better time for the Lakers, who are looking to rise to a top-three seed in the West. Facing steep competition, the Lakers could use James after he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season.
Still, despite his track record, it is no secret that the team plans on being overly protective of LeBron James’ health. With his mileage, both James’ personal doctors and the Lakers’ medical staff have agreed to keep him as rested as possible during the season. While Redick has not ruled out all back-to-backs, we can expect LeBron to see limited playing time during the most congested parts of the schedule.
Regardless of what happens moving forward, this is already a time of unknowns for LeBron James. It is his first time starting mid-season and the first time he is stepping into a sidekick role rather than the main act.
While LeBron is confident his game can fit into any situation, the hard work has only just begun. For James, the key is to find a balance between being available for his team and limiting the workload on his mind and body.
At nearly 41 years old, it will only get harder for LeBron to remain durable throughout the season, but he is confident he can stay healthy enough to make a major difference for his team. If he and Redick can develop a cohesive plan now, it will maximize what is left of LeBron’s career and ensure he can prolong his NBA lifespan for as long as possible.
If LeBron can stay healthy and adapt to the demands of this stage in his career, the Lakers will remain firmly in the mix out West. His leadership and experience still carry tremendous weight, and a well-managed workload could be the difference between a deep playoff push and another early exit. Ultimately, if Redick’s plan pays off, this season could mark a new but successful chapter for the future Hall of Famer.
