NBA Notes: Lakers, LeBron James, Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Rockets

Lakers

LeBron James won’t be suiting up for any preseason games.

James, 40, didn’t practice during the first week of camp and was only a “modified” participant on Tuesday. Head coach JJ Redick had already signaled that the team would be cautious with him, and that’s exactly what’s happening.

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, James will sit out the entire preseason but is expected to be ready for Opening Night. It’s a new approach for both James and the Lakers, who are prioritizing his long-term health over exhibition reps.

In past years, LeBron has bristled at load management, preferring to stay in rhythm by playing whenever possible. But at this stage — entering his 23rd season — and given his recent postseason health history, this shift makes sense.

The Lakers are betting that fewer miles in October means a fresher LeBron in April and May. That’s a gamble worth taking.

Raptors

Toronto’s preseason opener didn’t yield many offensive highlights for Scottie Barnes and the starting five, who all posted negative net ratings in a loss to Denver. Barnes didn’t make a field goal.

But Brandon Ingram offered an encouraging glimpse of why the Raptors acquired him. The veteran forward looked “perfectly comfortable” creating in the half-court, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca, scoring a team-high 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter — Toronto’s last two first-round picks — aren’t guaranteed rotation roles, but both are embracing the competition for minutes.

“It’s definitely the first time where I haven’t been the main guy,” Walter said. “But I love it. I like the competitiveness.”

Along with all that, second-year point guard Jamal Shead has quietly emerged as a leader among the team’s younger players.

Eric Koreen of The Athletic compared his presence to Fred VanVleet’s role on Toronto’s early bench units. Shead downplayed it: “I’m a point guard. I give out information. They take it, they receive it, and then we move on.”

Rockets

Houston surprised some around the league by bringing back Clint Capela despite already having Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams under contract. But with the team leaning into bigger lineups, the front office saw value in a reunion — and Capela felt the same way.

“I feel like when I left, it was something that wasn’t done,” Capela said, via The Houston Chronicle. “What I’ve missed the most is the fans, the support, the city. That’s why it’s so special to be here again.”

Head coach Ime Udoka envisions Capela playing both as a lone big and alongside Sengun in jumbo lineups.

“(Capela) is a different player as far as rim protection, lob threat,” Udoka said. “Even out of those three, he might switch and move his feet the best.”