News flash: LeBron James won’t be suiting up against the Spurs. Again. But you probably saw that coming. The lingering sciatica injury continues to bench the 40-year-old, robbing fans of watching him defy time in his record-breaking 23rd NBA season. For the first time in his legendary career, he’s missed the start of a season, sidelined for about 3-4 weeks, as reports first indicated. Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. Shams Charania hinted on ESPN’s NBA Countdown that LeBron might soon be spotted getting some live reps elsewhere.

Shams Charania provided the latest on LeBron James’ status, saying,

“LeBron James has been working out individually, and I’m told the next step for him is five-on-five live play. He will not be traveling on the Lakers’ upcoming five-game, week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend, so it’s unclear whether he’s going to be able to get that live action while the team is on the road — potentially doing it with the G League South Bay team — or do the Lakers and LeBron wait for the team to get back on November 16th, and then the live play process can begin.”

By mid-October, Shams Charania had already hinted that both LeBron James and the Lakers were targeting a mid-November comeback. The plan was to let LeBron recover at his own pace, without rushing anything. JJ Redick also chimed in, while ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shared that there wasn’t a fixed date on the calendar, just a general window around the second or third week of November. It made sense, given how much he gave last season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51% shooting across 70 games.

Now, the next checkpoint in his recovery involves full 5-on-5 work at practice. But there’s a catch. LeBron won’t be traveling with the Lakers on their five-game road trip through Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and Milwaukee. While the team is away, the South Bay Lakers, L.A.’s G League affiliate, will be practicing back in El Segundo. It remains uncertain if LeBron will join them for workouts or simply wait until the main roster returns, but either way, the countdown to his return feels like it’s truly begun.

Charania continued to say, “I was told today that Lakers personnel are still operating under the belief LeBron James’ debut will be around mid-November, but this is uncharted territory. He turns 41 next month; he’s in his 23rd record NBA season. That’s why Rob Pelinka’s three offseason signings — Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart — have been so important, paying dividends with the depth without one of the best players of all time in LeBron James.”

If all goes well, the earliest fans could see LeBron back on the floor is November 18, when the Lakers take on the Utah Jazz at home. Surprisingly, the team has held its ground without him, starting the season with a solid 6–2 record. Leading the charge, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have stepped up exactly when the Lakers needed them most.

During the offseason, LeBron decided to exercise his $52.6 million player option to stay with the Lakers for this season. That move, paired with the comments his agent Rich Paul made to Charania, quickly fueled fresh rumors about what LeBron’s long-term plans might look like. And now, with his injury keeping him out, those questions about his future haven’t gone anywhere.

Uncertainty looms over LeBron’s future

The wait for LeBron’s return might just take another twist. The Lakers recently cruised past the Timberwolves 128–110, and during the game, Candace Parker noted that the team might actually benefit from LeBron’s absence, giving others more ball-handling duties and bigger roles. “When LeBron’s back, it’s going to be easier,” she said.

But what if he doesn’t come back? It’s been a long time since LeBron last hit free agency, yet that moment is approaching again next summer. So, the real question now is: what if LeBron decides not to return to the Lakers?

Shams Charania recently addressed the uncertainty on the Flagrant podcast. He said that no one really knows where LeBron will end up. “Is he going to finish his career with the Lakers, or somewhere else?” Charania asked. 

He added that it’s very much up in the air and even LeBron might not have a clear plan for how it all plays out. But he thinks: “If he’s going to continue to play, there’s clearly a chance he’s somewhere else… But again, he could stay with the Lakers.”

So right now, it’s a 50–50 shot: stay or go. Either way, the Lakers seem prepared. With Luka Doncic leading the charge and new signings like Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart holding their own, the team is quietly building an identity that doesn’t solely depend on LeBron. 

As Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley put it, “The Lakers still can (and should) test the trade market for potential upgrades. If the right offer comes along, they should absolutely pounce. But they shouldn’t feel the need to overpay just to appease an aging star.”