The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-11 in their first 24 games to start the 2024-25 season. In their last 10 games, the Lakers are 3-7. Roughly one quarter through the season, Los Angeles is eighth in the Western Conference. Previously, LeBron James had been the best player for the Lakers even with Anthony Davis on the roster.
In year 22 for LeBron, that is not the case anymore. Davis is now the #1 scoring option and leads the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks per game. James has missed just one game for the Lakers this season and it was their most recent contest on Sunday vs. the Trail Blazers. The four-time NBA champion is trying to manage a foot injury and head coach JJ Redick is trying to keep LeBron healthy for the entire season. If he needs to miss a few games here and there, the Lakers are not afraid to do that.
Trying to load manage LeBron James in his 22nd season is not easy for the Lakers
ESPN story with @mcten: Lakers star LeBron James is unlikely to play Friday versus Timberwolves. It would give James, who missed a Dec. 8 contest with foot soreness, eight days in between games if he returns Sunday against Memphis. https://t.co/GbPI308meN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 12, 2024
Despite your opinion on LeBron James, it’s hard to deny the longevity of his career and how much time he’s put in to do that. He was drafted in 2003 and is playing in the 2024-25 season. Vince Carter and himself are the only players in league history to appear in a 22nd season. For two decades, James was an unstoppable force in the NBA and dominated the league. However, James has shown signs of father time creeping up in 2024-25. The 39-year-old wanted to play with his son Bronny this season and he accomplished that.
The Lakers are unsure how much time they have left with LeBron and that’s why they want to keep him healthy. James sat out of their game on 12/8 and they are off until 12/13 when they face the Timberwolves. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that James is out on Friday vs. Minnesota and James could return on 12/15 vs. the Grizzlies. That would give James a full week of rest and the small recharge he needs in the middle of December. Los Angeles is thinking long-term with James and they want him available if they make the playoffs in 2024-25.
