NBA G League superstar LeBron James is about to return and transform the Los Angeles Lakers into the juggernaut they want to be. The South Bay Lakers legend is working hard towards readying himself for the main roster.
I’m doing some G League roster updates, and I know it’s a rehab assignment, but this still made me chuckle! pic.twitter.com/LtEYu3tptn
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 13, 2025
Now that we've had the necessary bit of fun with the fact that James has been assigned to South Bay for his rehab, there are some encouraging points to hit with how that journey is going. The work towards making the sciatica injury a thing of the past is fully underway.
Shams Charania reported a couple of days ago about LeBron beginning five-on-five play with the G League affiliate of the Lakers. His sources told him James looked great and was moving with confidence. There were no signs of the nerve issue plaguing him during the process.
Details for NBA Today on LeBron James participating in his first full practice and five-on-five session of the Lakers season -- with South Bay in the G League: pic.twitter.com/g4w79jxUaz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2025
JJ Redick delivered a similar update (h/t Dave McMenamin): "He was able to participate in the practice. ... The reports are that he looked good and he was moving well."
LeBron James' injury return will put the Lakers over the top
A follow-up question asked Redick whether James would be at practice for Los Angeles on Monday when the team will be back home following their five-game road trip. The Lakers head coach told the room he had 'no idea' considering there was still some time left between then and now.
Not claiming to be a doctor here, but the injury updates do suggest that James' return is not too far off at this point. When the Lakers superstar gets the all clear, his arrival should give the team a strong boost and allow for the pieces to really fall into place for Los Angeles.
James' skeptics have argued that his return could upset what the Lakers have built in the early parts of the season without him. That is as ludicrous of a thought as it sounds.
The Lakers have shown encouraging signs of being better than many may have anticipated. A beatdown at the hands of an undermanned Oklahoma City Thunder team on Wednesday played a big part in cooling that excitement off a touch.
An added effect of that loss was a reminder that the improvement the Lakers will be searching for is already in-house. Adding back one of the top players in the NBA, once James is available again, is no small spark.
THE KING HAS SPOKEN. pic.twitter.com/EzDoMtRx7C
— LeBron History 🏀 (@bronhistory) November 14, 2025
The Lakers got crushed in the turnover battle, surrendering 20 of them to the Thunder in their one-sided loss. That led to 26 points conceded off those alone. Los Angeles also struggled to defend down low, giving up 48 points in the paint.
Those are both areas James can aid immediately with his presence and leadership. Likewise, LeBron can give the Lakers an extra offensive engine when a team like the Thunder is smothering them all over with their defense.
Once James returns, the Lakers can finally get a good feel for how to best optimize the roster with the majority of their core pieces available (minus Gabe Vincent). That will help Redick figures things out on the court, and Rob Pelinka can start working on his own strategic plan from there.