Report: LeBron James Gives Walton An Ultimatum About The Preseason

The NBA preseason is about to start and LeBron James won’t be part of it. Yes, this applies to everyone who ‘dies’ to see the king on the basketball court this preseason. LeBron talked to head coach Luke Walton about this, and made his final decision.

ESPN’s report confirms that head coach Walton planned to meet with the king of basketball and discus over the details about the preseason. LeBron’s preseason work load will be super light.

“The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason debut Sunday in San Diego against the Denver Nuggets could be missing one key piece: LeBron James. James and Lakers coach Luke Walton will huddle Friday, sources told ESPN, to determine if the 33-year-old embarking on his 16th NBA season, will suit up for the opener in L.A.’s six-game exhibition slate. Indeed, James played in only one preseason game at the outset of the 2017-18 season while he rehabbed an ankle injury and went on to play all 82 games in the regular season for the Cleveland Cavaliers — a first in his career. After the Cavs’ 2016 championship, James played in only three preseason games the following fall. And when he did play, it was only for a quarter or two. To be clear, James will not be resting because of any injury rehabilitation, but more for injury prevention,” sources reveal.

King James doesn’t really need the preseason play. “I don’t know. I don’t need preseason games at this stage of my career to get ready… I feel great,” he said.

If you ask Luke Walton, he will say that the preseason play is nothing but an extended practice session. “For us, we’re looking at the whole preseason as getting ready for the season. Not like we have to be ready for Sunday’s game, this upcoming Sunday’s game in San Diego. So we’re going to use Sunday like it’s a practice day almost, where, shootaround we’ll do more things. In the game we’ll work on what we’re working on, like trying to get good on our basics, our foundation still,” he said.