Rich Paul Sends Clear Message to Lakers Regarding LeBron James

May 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Savannah James, LeBron James and Rich Paul sit in the front in the fourth quarter of game four of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

For LeBron James to be entering Year 23 of his illustrious basketball career, the annual maitenence on his body is arguably better than any athlete we've seen to date.

Even into his 40s, the Los Angeles Lakers star is doing things on the court people half his age struggle to accomplish. It doesn't appear as if he's slowing down physically anytime soon, and credit must be given to James for doing all the right things in keeping his body from breaking down.

"LeBron's camp has spoken to the Lakers and they said, let's be overly cautious with LeBron [James]."

—@mcten on the Lakers going into the 2025-26 NBA season pic.twitter.com/mCsMf2np49

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 30, 2025

More news: NBA All-Star Slams Lakers for LeBron James Decision

Interestingly enough, the public may have gotten somewhat of a glimpse into what has recently enabled him to play at an All-Star level. According to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, James's support system/inner circle recently spoke with the Lakers and requested tha thte team be "overly cautious" with him as the team ramps up for the start of the regular season.

“LeBron's camp has spoken to the Lakers and they said, let's be overly cautious with LeBron.”

— @mcten on the Lakers upcoming season

(via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/Pjb0xlQGpW

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 30, 2025

McMenamin appeared on ESPN programming to deliver the news. In terms of reading into this statement, there's two ways to potentially look at this.

For one, James is going to be turning 41 in December. Naturally, letting him ease his way into the season without putting a ton of miles on him would be the prudent thing to do.

As I reported on NBA Today, the plan is for LeBron James to be present for the Lakers first practice Tuesday but will be limited in his on-court participation, sources told ESPN. LeBron’s camp conveyed to the Lakers’ brass to be “overly cautious” and take the long view in Year 23

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 30, 2025

On the other hand, is this a sneaky admission that James will be continuing his NBA career after this season? He will not be under contract with the Lakers once this year concludes, and James himself has been very coy about his future moving forward.

It would only make sense for James to try and stay fresh for the rigorous NBA season. Also, given his profile and the significance he holds in the annals of the league, a public retirement tour a la the late Kobe Bryant would seem both plausible and expected.

The fact he's yet to announce anything in that regard, coupled with these wishes from his team, seems to suggest that this won't be his final season in the NBA.

Whether he retires with the Lakers or not is an entirely different question. Regardless, a healthy James and a slimmed-down Luka Doncic give the Los Angeles Lakers a puncher's chance at being more of a contender than many across the NBA are expecting them to be.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.