Lakers Face Uncertainty as LeBron Sidelined by Injury
LeBron James Injury Clouds Lakers' Season
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is set to miss the start of the NBA season due to a nagging injury. The 40-year-old veteran is dealing with sciatica, a painful nerve condition, that has kept him out of training camp and the first two preseason games.
While the Lakers have not provided a specific timeline, reports indicate James is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks as he recovers. This means the Lakers could be without their centerpiece for up to a quarter of the regular season.
Luka's Lakers Emerging as LeBron Misses Time
With James out, the Lakers are increasingly becoming Luka Dončić's team. The blockbuster trade that sent the Mavericks star to Los Angeles this offseason has accelerated the transition, as the Lakers look to build around the 24-year-old superstar.
"The Lakers were always going to treat this 23rd season differently for LeBron," notes NBA analyst Dan Woike. "But with him missing time, it speeds up the inevitable switch to Luka being the face of the franchise."
Dončić has impressed in the preseason, showing his ability to elevate the supporting cast even without James on the floor. The Lakers will need more of that as they navigate the early part of the season without their legendary forward.
Other Key Player Moves
Elsewhere around the league, the Pacers suffered a blow when newly-acquired center Deandre Ayton went down with an injury in the preseason. The former No. 1 overall pick was expected to be a key piece for Indiana, but could now miss significant time.
The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to explore trade options, with reports indicating they may look to move on from veteran forward LeBron James if the right opportunity arises. James has one year left on his contract and could be an enticing trade target for contenders looking to add a future Hall of Famer.
TL;DR
- Lakers star LeBron James to miss start of season with sciatica injury, expected out 3-4 weeks
- Luka Dončić's arrival accelerates transition to him being face of the Lakers franchise
- Pacers suffer setback as Deandre Ayton goes down with preseason injury
- Lakers may explore trading LeBron James if right deal materializes