Following the Los Angeles Lakers win over the Chicago Bulls, forward LeBron James said he’s willing to take on a lesser role with the team if it means it will help the team win

The future of forward LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers is unknown, but for the time being, James said yesterday he is willing to take on a different role from what he has had for most of his career.

Following the Lakers’ 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls — James’ first game back from injury —, James said to reporters he’s willing to sacrifice his own statistical performance — meaning he’ll let teammates Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves be the No. 1 option — if it gives the Lakers their best chance of winning.

“If it benefits others, it benefits the team — the team is most important,” James said. “Everybody’s successful when we win. So yeah, it is a sacrifice. I know what I’m capable of still doing as an individual, but what’s important for this team, I’m able to adapt to

LeBron James vs Bulls
18PTS
7REB
7AST
2STL
1BLK pic.twitter.com/Lz1zeML8bQ

— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) March 13, 2026

In the 41-year-old’s 23rd season, he is averaging 21.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 7.0 APG across 45 games, but has faced some injury struggles this year.

“He’s been a high-usage player and the No. 1 option his whole career, and I know he wants to win,” Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick said. “And he wants to do everything possible to help this team win, even if it looks a little bit differently.”

Redick also said James has already had to make sacrifices with the Lakers, such as when the Lakers traded for Dončić — the NBA’s leading scorer and fourth in MVP rankings — in February 2025.

“He had to make some sacrifices when we traded for Luka last year,” Redick said. “And he understands how important it is for Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] to have time on the ball. And the realistic thing is that, when they’re on the court together, that’s going to take away time on the ball from him.”

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The Lakers’ next game is tomorrow against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.