The Los Angeles Lakers finally have their full roster together. Luka Doncic is healthy. Austin Reaves is rolling. Deandre Ayton is settling into his role. And on Tuesday night, the biggest return arrived. LeBron James stepped on the floor for the first time this season.
The Lakers put up 140 points in a win over the Utah Jazz, with James logging 11 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and a steal in just under 30 minutes. He played within the flow, kept the offense moving, and let Doncic, Reaves and Ayton carry the scoring load — each finishing with 20-plus for the third straight game.
But inside the building, the focus isn’t only on how James looked in his return. It’s about how often he plays from here on out.
A Lakers source is hoping James makes a specific sacrifice this season, and it has nothing to do with shot attempts.
Lakers Insider Says Team Wants LeBron to Prioritize Longevity
During an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Lakers insider Dave McMenamin explained that people inside the organization want James to slow down his regular season pace and think long-term after battling lingering sciatica.
McMenamin said the team wants James to focus on staying healthy first, conditioning second, and availability third.
“The big question moving forward is not just, ‘Can LeBron stay healthy and keep the sciatica from coming back,’ but whether he can regain his wind and keep his body in the best shape to make it to the finish line,” McMenamin said.
The Lakers believe the best path is strategic rest. Selective nights off. Avoiding stress on the back. And maybe skipping back-to-backs even if it costs him something historically significant.
Awards Eligibility May Complicate Things This Season
James has made an All-NBA team for 21 straight seasons. It’s one of the most absurd streaks in league history. But under the NBA’s new rules, a player must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for awards.
James has already missed 14.
McMenamin spelled it out clearly: “LeBron can only miss three more games between now and the end of the regular season to be eligible for All-NBA.”
A source told him, “At 41, I’d rather LeBron skip back-to-backs, but we’ll see how that aligns with his plans to be eligible for All-NBA once again.”
The Lakers want him fresh in April. James may want to keep one of the longest streaks in league history alive. Those two goals don’t perfectly fit together.
What the Lakers Need From LeBron This Season
GettyLos Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
James doesn’t need to be the player he was at 28. Doncic is the offensive engine. Reaves gives them another initiator. Ayton anchors the interior. And the rest of the roster is built to lighten the load.
But the Lakers still need James in the moments that matter. Late in games, they need his control and composure. On defense, they rely on his purpose and physicality. And when the playoffs start, they need him healthy.
To get that version, they may need him to sacrifice something he has never sacrificed before: games played.
Not shots. Not touches. Possessions aren’t the issue. Availability is.
And for the first time since arriving in Los Angeles, the team sounds like it is preparing for a season where LeBron plays less so he can matter more.
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