When asked about LeBron James' return, Lakers coach JJ Redick responded, "No."
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will miss Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James, who turns 40 later this month, did not travel with the team to Minnesota and sat out last Sunday's victory over the Portland Trail Blazers due to a sore foot.
When asked about James' return timeline before Friday's game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said, "No." Earlier in the week, Redick mentioned that James "is taking some time" from practice after the team was given extra rest days following its failure to advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals. If James returns on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, he will have had eight days off.
Redick also clarified that James' absence was due to "personal reasons," though no further details have been provided.
Before Sunday’s game, Redick noted that the time off could benefit James. He encouraged the entire team to make the most of the extended break, saying, "Heck, if somebody wants to go spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that's fine, too. It's a quarter way through the season."
This season, James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists, and 8 rebounds per game. While still a dominant force in the league, he has shown signs of wear, including a 10-point performance in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2, which nearly ended his streak of 1,242 consecutive games with double-digit scoring.
The Lakers (13-11) also entered the NBA Cup break on a rough patch, having lost seven of their last 10 games, including a 134-93 blowout to the Heat on Dec. 4. Given the chance for James to rest within the bounds of NBA rules, it makes sense for both him and the Lakers to take advantage of the opportunity.
While James' absence may simply be a matter of rest, it has also fueled rumors about a potential trade involving the four-time NBA MVP and champion.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that James' name has surfaced in league discussions. Last season, the Golden State Warriors explored the possibility of pairing James with Stephen Curry ahead of the trade deadline, but both James and the Lakers rejected the idea.
With a no-trade clause in his contract, James has the power to determine his future destination if he ever chooses to leave Los Angeles.
0 Comments