Stephen A. Smith claims the Lakers have plans for LeBron James that may never fully materialize as, despite his abilities at 40, the organization reportedly prioritizes younger stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaving his long-term role uncertain.
For the first time in his 23-year NBA career, James is not the main man. Early in the season, Los Angeles performed well without him, raising questions about his fit on a roster now led by Doncic and Reaves.
Despite the shift in focus, the four-time champion continues to contribute when available, with his scoring, playmaking, and veteran leadership remaining critical at the Staples Center as they chase a first championship since 2020.
Even as the Lakers manage his minutes and long-term health strategically, there are concerns about his future. Smith weighed in during a recent Joe and Jada segment, emphasizing that LA‘s path forward revolves around Doncic, not James.
“Because of his age,” Smith said, of James‘s Los Angeles future being uncertain. “And the fact you’ve got Luka [as] the future. Luka’s 26, and you want some young cats to play, not someone who’s 41 and on his way in the next year too. That’s what that’s about. It’s not because of LeBron‘s game, it’s because of his age.”
Doncic, arriving in February via a trade sending Anthony Davis to Dallas, has firmly established himself as the team’s face and MVP candidate. The Slovenian has impressed with scoring, vision, and leadership, solidifying the Lakers‘ shift toward youth.
LeBron skips Pelicans clash
Meanwhile, James continues to manage nagging injuries. He sat out Sunday’s 133-121 victory over the Pelicans due to left foot management, one of several planned rests this season to preserve his body for a historic 23rd NBA season.
Coach JJ Redick highlighted that James‘ back and foot issues require careful oversight. The team is pacing him through back-to-back games and a compressed schedule, reflecting modern load management strategies for aging stars.
“Look, at 41 years of age, I hope he is not playing back-to-backs,” LeBron‘s agent, Rich Paul, said as the Lakers‘ medical staff aligns with this cautious approach.
James has played four games since returning from sciatica, averaging 16.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds as he fights to get back onto the court. While scoring is below career norms, the Lakers have gone 4-0 with him, highlighting his value even at an advanced age by professional athlete standards.
The Lakers aim to gradually prepare James for potential back-to-back games later in the season. However, age, prior injuries, and reliance on younger stars make executing these plans challenging.
Both player and team now face a delicate balancing act: maximizing James‘ contributions while avoiding setbacks that could affect key stretches or playoff positioning. Each back-to-back game must be evaluated individually.
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