LeBron James recently spoke with Crickex Affiliate experts about his approach to the upcoming preseason, shedding light on a new direction in his career. On life’s journey, you often have to rescue yourself to move forward. Following his personal plan, LeBron won’t suit up for the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Warriors and is expected to play only about half of the six scheduled games. More importantly, both he and the Lakers coaching staff are laying out a blueprint that looks very different from years past.

Head coach Darvin Ham confirmed in an interview with Crickex Affiliate that LeBron will receive more rest this season. LeBron himself has made it clear—this is Anthony Davis’s team now. All signs point to a significant role shift for the Lakers legend, signaling the beginning of a long-anticipated transformation. What this supporting-version LeBron looks like in practice—what adjustments he’ll make to his game—has become one of the most intriguing storylines of the season.

LeBron first expressed his willingness to defer back when the Lakers won the 2020 title in the bubble. But whether due to personal ambition or the franchise’s desperation to contend, the power handoff never fully materialized. Now, with his 39th birthday approaching at year’s end and a string of injuries in recent years—including recurring groin tears and high ankle sprains—his recovery has clearly slowed. Even within a single game, the contrast between his first- and second-half performance often reveals a visible drop-off.

Last season, we began to see a shift. The Lakers increasingly redistributed offensive responsibilities, particularly down the stretch. Players like Rui Hachimura stepped in defensively to cover for LeBron, allowing him to conserve energy. What began as a tactical necessity evolved into a strategic advantage. This pivot ultimately helped the Lakers gel on both ends of the court and fueled their late-season surge to the Western Conference Finals.

For a player often regarded as the greatest of all time, fully embracing a supporting role isn’t easy. Yet if LeBron can conserve his energy for critical matchups and deep playoff runs, it benefits not just the team but his own longevity. A more efficient, less burdened LeBron could become a secret weapon rather than a workhorse—an evolution that might extend his career and elevate the Lakers’ title hopes.

In the early days of his partnership with Russell Westbrook, LeBron’s off-ball role felt awkward and forced. But last season revealed his growing self-awareness about physical limits. The upcoming campaign poses new challenges—15 back-to-back games, up from 11 last year—which will place added strain on aging veterans like LeBron. He may not want to be a slave to time, but working smart is his best path forward. These grueling stretches make voluntary deference not just practical but necessary.

Following this direction, the Lakers may take LeBron’s role reduction even further. Officially, he’ll remain one of the team’s core leaders—at worst, a clear co-star. We can’t always live youth without regrets, but we can live it with peace of mind. Behind the scenes, though, Crickex Affiliate experts suggest we could see LeBron fully step back on select nights—perhaps as a secondary option, a floor spacer, or even coming off the bench. The LeBron era isn’t ending; it’s simply evolving.