LeBron James to Sit Out Lakers’ Preseason Opener

It’s a rematch of the Western Conference semifinals, but it’s still just a scrimmage.

So LeBron James won’t play when the Lakers visit the Warriors for their preseason opener on Saturday night.

“He’s in phenomenal shape … and he’s probably played more than the rest of our roster combined (excluding Anthony Davis),” coach Darvin Ham said, via Mike Trudell of Spectrum SN.

James, 38, is officially the NBA’s oldest player. He is coming off a foot injury that bothered him all the way to the very end of the season — which came when the Lakers were swept by the Nuggets in the West finals.

So this year, the Lakers, James, and the medical staff work together to keep their star healthy.

“We collaborate and communicate on what those steps will be” when it comes to James’ workload, Ham said.

So sitting out the preseason opener against the Warriors? For James and the Lakers, you can understand how that makes sense.