The Lakers are in a dilemma on how to deal with one of the ‘biggest stars’ of all time. Because LeBron James, now, is playing a similar card the Lakers played with him this offseason. Marcos Smart, Deandre Ayton were incoming, but LeBron has no clue (as claimed). Now, while LeBron rehabs from his sciatica nerve injury, the Lakers are clueless. The HC has repeatedly faced the same question: when will LeBron return? Redick’s answer has remained consistent: “He’s on his own timeline.” And this has drawn attention.

Rashad McCants shared the same clip of Redick and wrote on X, “Thought you was the coach JJ!!!!! This how you gotta act when you not in control lol 😂 Look at his face!!!!” It raises an interesting question: Does young Redick, who is just 6 months older than LeBron, really have control over his team and star players? For now, LeBron is out for three to four weeks due to a nerve injury that was initially downplayed as just a “nerve irritation.” 

After missing more than 20 games in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, he bounced back to play at least 70 in each of the past two years. But as he steps into his 23rd NBA season, fans are still waiting to see him back in action. He hasn’t appeared in any practices or preseason games yet and will probably miss the start of the season as well. ‘Probably’, because there’s no answer. But McCants’ comments might be a dig, but JJ is playing it safe.

Coach JJ Redick seems to be taking no chances with LeBron’s recovery, calling it “playing the long game.” The idea is to protect LeBron’s health first, worry about his return later. It’s a smart call, especially with the Lakers’ championship hopes still hinging on their 40-year-old superstar. But the setback has thrown Redick’s training camp plans completely off track.

The Lakers HC had hoped to use this time to build chemistry and install his system, but without LeBron, that’s been tough. “No one has got any time with LeBron,” Redick admitted, referring to how even new additions like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart haven’t had the chance to properly gel with the man who still commands on the court. This means Luka Doncic will have to shoulder the load early on with LeBron.

But this whole situation might genuinely frustrate fans, especially those who shelled out nearly $900 a seat for the Lakers’ final regular-season home game. Yep, that’s what a PR stunt can do. LeBron’s schedule seems packed with everything but game time. He even teased a “Decision” part two, which had everyone thinking it was about his retirement. But surprise! It turned out to be a Hennessy partnership announcement instead. Just another day in the world of clickbait and superstar marketing.

LeBron James will celebrate his 41st birthday this December. And while age is just a number, it definitely shows when you’re an athlete. Over the past few seasons, injuries have become a recurring theme. Earlier this year, he missed the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in his career due to lingering foot and ankle issues, ending a streak that lasted 20 straight years. 

Though he still flashes his old brilliance with efficient play, the signs of wear and tear are hard to ignore. His usage rate has also dipped over the last two seasons: down from 33.3% in 2022–23 to just over 30%. Still, confidence in him hasn’t wavered, even amid whispers that he wields more influence than his head coach.

Inside the Lakers’ balancing act amid LeBron James’ transition

This season, the narrative for the Lakers has been consistent: reshaping their identity around Luka Doncic. But let’s be real, the face of the franchise is still LeBron James. Maybe that’s why the front office still values his opinion. When the Lakers named JJ Redick their 29th head coach in June 2024, the decision instantly turned heads. A rookie coach with no prior experience taking over a locker room that houses LeBron? Questions were inevitable. 

Many wondered if James had a say in the hire, but GM Rob Pelinka made it clear: “LeBron was very supportive of us in our process,” though he wasn’t directly involved. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, LeBron told the Lakers to “do what they feel is right… because odds are, the person they hire will be with the Lakers beyond LeBron James’ days as a player.” But LeBron wasn’t completely out of the picture.

Enter Nate McMillan, the seasoned NBA coach with stops in Seattle, Portland, Indiana, and Atlanta. He shared how the move came together on The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac: “When the Lakers come calling, you’re going to listen,” McMillan said. “I called JJ back and told him, ‘I want to really consider this, but there’s one more phone call that needs to be made. And that was LeBron.’” McMillan recalled how James spoke about the chance to join the Lakers’ staff, mentioning that he had long respected McMillan and was eager to work with him.

With McMillan’s experience complementing Redick’s fresh approach, things quickly began to click. The Lakers finished the season 50–32, securing the third seed in the West, just the second time in 14 years they’d reach 50 wins. Perhaps that’s why Rashad McCants’ recent dig at Redick hit a nerve. In Los Angeles, no matter who’s running the plays, the shadow of LeBron James still looms large. At least for some more time.