Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-26 season with sciatica on his right side, and it appears he will be taking the time off to evaluate his future with the franchise.
NBA insider Dave McMenamin explained how James’ injury impacts the Lakers, as the 40-year-old will be monitoring the situation in Los Angeles.
"LeBron's gonna be watching, while he's out. If they are struggling, that could lead to the next step that we could see at some point this season where….” McMenamin said on NBA Today. “Remember what Shams (Charania) was told by Rich Paul? That LeBron will be watching the Lakers' every move because the priority is to win. If they are not winning, maybe he’s gonna have to go elsewhere to find that winning combination."
Moreover, McMenamin believes this is a crucial period for the new captain of the organization, Luka Doncic, to establish himself as the face of the franchise while James is sidelined. Over the summer, the 26-year-old was overseas competing for his home country Slovenia in the EuroBasket Tournament.
The leadership displayed by Doncic overseas is something the Lakers are hoping he brings to the bright lights of Hollywood.
James’ absence will also open doors for players such as Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, both new additions to the team, to make an impact day in and day out. The Lakers could very well be title contenders, but in a competitive Western Conference, the squad faces an uphill battle without James.
To put even more pressure on Doncic and company, James may decide that he’d rather finish out the season elsewhere given a poor performance from the Lakers to open the season.
General manager Rob Pelinka made a few additions to the Lakers in the offseason, but none of the team has had a chance to build a rapport with James on the court.
"You've got to play the cards you're dealt," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said of James’ availibility. "That's a shame, but that's just the reality. … No one has got any time with LeBron. That's not just (new center Deandre Ayton), but everybody. (James) hasn't been on the court with the team, but that's just the reality."
There are several question marks for the Lakers heading into the season, and most of them directly coincide with James and his future with the franchise.
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