Ayrton Oneill
LeBron James is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. So, when he stepped away from the Los Angeles Lakers for two games in December 2024, it sparked speculation about his future in the sport. James himself attributed his absence to a foot injury, but some wondered if there was more to the story, given reports of trade speculation and personal reasons for his time off. However, James quickly silenced any doubts about his commitment to the game by returning to the court and helping his team secure a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for absence | Foot injury |
| Games missed | Two |
| Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Opponent on return | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Score on return | 116-110 |
| Points scored by LeBron James | 18 |
| Date of return | December 15 |
| Year | 2024 |
| Days between games | Eight |
| LeBron James' attitude towards break | Reluctant |
| LeBron James' attitude towards team | Positive |
| LeBron James' control over trades | Complete |
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What You'll Learn
- LeBron James missed two games with the Lakers due to a foot injury
- James' absence fuelled trade speculation, but he has chances to leave
- James re-signed with the Lakers and offered to take a pay cut
- James' son, Bronny, was drafted to the Lakers, making them the NBA's first father-son duo
- James' return saw the Lakers win 116-110 against the Memphis Grizzlies
LeBron James missed two games with the Lakers due to a foot injury
LeBron James, widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, missed two games with the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2024 due to a foot injury. James first missed a game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a sore left foot. He then missed a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, giving him eight days between games.
James was reluctant to take time away from the game to treat his injury, telling reporters:
> "If it was up to just me, I probably would've played. It would've been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest."
James returned to the basketball court on December 15, 2024, helping his team secure a 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. He contributed 18 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds to the team's final total.
Foot injuries have impacted James in previous seasons with the Lakers. In the 2022-23 season, he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for almost a month. He returned before the end of the regular season and led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals, but his foot remained an issue during the playoffs.
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James' absence fuelled trade speculation, but he has chances to leave
LeBron James' absence from the Los Angeles Lakers fuelled speculation about his potential departure from the team. James missed two games with the Lakers within an eight-day span, citing a foot injury as the reason for his brief hiatus. During this time, there were reports that other teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, were monitoring James' situation, leading to rumours about a possible trade.
However, it is important to note that James has had opportunities to leave the Lakers in the past but has chosen to stay. Most notably, during the summer, when he was a free agent, James not only re-signed with the Lakers but also offered to take a discount to help bring in more talent to the roster. Additionally, James has a no-trade clause, which means he cannot be traded unless he specifically requests it. This gives him significant control over his future with the team.
The Lakers value James not just as a player but also as a draw for fans and sponsors. His presence on the team helps fill the stands and attracts sponsors, contributing to the team's overall success and revenue. Furthermore, the Lakers drafted Bronny James, LeBron's son, creating the first father-son duo to play in the NBA simultaneously. This personal connection further strengthens James' ties to the Lakers and makes it highly unlikely that he would choose to leave.
While James' absence may have sparked trade speculation, his actions and commitments to the Lakers indicate that he is dedicated to the team. His influence extends beyond the court, impacting the Lakers' business and strategic decisions. James' agent, Rich Paul, has also been vocal in defending James and providing insights into his decisions. Overall, while there may be ongoing rumours and speculation, James' past actions suggest that he is committed to the Lakers and values his role within the organisation.
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James re-signed with the Lakers and offered to take a pay cut
LeBron James, widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, has had a glittering career in the NBA. In the 2024-25 season, James was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and was the oldest player in the league at 40 years old. Despite his age, he was still one of the best players in the league, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game over 70 appearances.
In March 2025, it was reported that James would likely decline his player option for the upcoming season, allowing the Lakers to re-sign him for less money and free up salary cap space to improve their roster. James has a history of taking pay cuts to help his team, and he had done so the previous offseason, accepting $2.7 million less to keep the Lakers under the salary cap. This decision allowed the Lakers to sign superstar guard Luka Dončić, who provided valuable support to James.
James has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he cannot be traded unless he requests it. This gives him significant control over his future and means the Lakers would be highly reluctant to trade him as he is crucial to their business. In the summer of 2024, James was a free agent and had the opportunity to leave the Lakers, but he chose to re-sign and even requested a no-trade clause to be added to his new contract. This decision was likely influenced by the fact that his son, Bronny James, was drafted by the Lakers that year, making them the first father-son duo to play in the NBA simultaneously.
James' decision to take a pay cut and re-sign with the Lakers demonstrates his commitment to the team and his desire to compete for championships. By freeing up salary cap space, the Lakers can target talented players to improve their roster and increase their chances of success. James' willingness to sacrifice personal financial gain for the betterment of the team is a testament to his character and leadership qualities.
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James' son, Bronny, was drafted to the Lakers, making them the NBA's first father-son duo
LeBron James took a two-game break from the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2024, citing a foot injury. However, he has not quit basketball. In fact, James returned to the basketball court on December 15, 2024, to help the Lakers secure a win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
James's eldest son, Bronny James, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2024, making them the NBA's first father-son duo. Bronny, born LeBron James Jr., played high school basketball for Chatsworth Sierra Canyon in the San Fernando Valley before progressing to the University of Southern California. Despite his heart condition and the belief that he could benefit from another year of college coaching, the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Lakers' decision to draft Bronny was likely influenced by LeBron's desire to play alongside his son. LeBron's contract was up for renewal in the summer of 2024, and the Lakers may have wanted to keep their star player happy. LeBron had previously gone to great lengths to watch Bronny play, even chartering a plane on an off-day to see him play against his own alma mater.
While some critics argue that the Lakers' decision was primarily motivated by the desire to keep LeBron satisfied, others celebrate the heartwarming nature of the NBA's first father-son duo.
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James' return saw the Lakers win 116-110 against the Memphis Grizzlies
LeBron James returned to the basketball court on December 15, 2024, to help the Los Angeles Lakers secure a 116-110 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. James had missed the previous two games due to a left foot injury and personal reasons. Despite his reluctance to take time off, the break seemed to benefit James, who contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and five turnovers in 34 minutes against the Grizzlies.
The Lakers' win against the Grizzlies marked a return to form for the team, who had lost eight of their last 11 games. They set the tone early in the match, leading by 23 points in the second half and maintaining their lead throughout. James' return brought energy to the team, with his passes, footwork, and control on full display.
Anthony Davis also played a pivotal role in the Lakers' victory, scoring 40 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Davis' performance, along with James' return, helped the Lakers shed the struggles of the previous weeks, including stagnant offense and physical bruises from losses to tougher opponents.
The Memphis Grizzlies entered the game as the NBA's highest-scoring offense but were unable to overcome the Lakers' strong performance. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 25 points, followed by Ja Morant with 20 points. Zach Edey contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Luke Kennard added 12 points to the Grizzlies' final tally.
The Lakers' victory against the Grizzlies demonstrated their resilience and ability to bounce back from recent setbacks. With James' return and the team's improved performance, the Lakers looked to build on this win and regain their early-season form.
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Frequently asked questions
No, LeBron James did not quit basketball. He took a break from the Los Angeles Lakers for two games to treat a foot injury.
LeBron James took time off to treat a foot injury. He was reluctant to step away and told reporters that he only did so because he had a team to consider.
LeBron James has had chances to leave the Lakers, including in the summer of 2024 when he was a free agent. Instead, he re-signed with the Lakers and offered to take a discount to help bring more talent to the roster.
Yes, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.
