According to reports, James is expected to return to the Lakers as soon as the 18th after intense training in the G League.

According to US sports media F/W analyst Chaitanya Dadwal, LeBron James is expected to rejoin the Lakers' main lineup in training soon. This week, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that James has participated in "intense" workouts in back-to-back sessions with the South Bay Lakers. He aims to make a quick transformation and recovery and, if all goes well, will join the main team in training before November 18. Once he steps onto the court this season, he will become the first player to start his 23rd NBA season. No one has really done it this long and with such consistency.

There was reportedly no lingering pain, soreness or residual effects from the workout, which is a big step in the right direction as Lakers fans await the return of their superstar. The four-time NBA champion missed all of training camp and the first half of the season because of sciatica issues on his right side. Three things are integral to his return: staying mobile, not having nerve pain flare up, and being able to endure a few minutes at the pace of the game. His practices at South Bay are designed to cater to those three factors.

However, his age and wear and tear have been slowly catching up with him. He also struggled last year with a left MCL sprain in the playoffs. But James has remained surreal for much of his long career. He also sat back intentionally and always gave himself the respect he needed to endure such a grueling physical career. His longevity is so legendary that it should be studied and emulated by others in the future. In his absence, Doncic and Reeves have shouldered the burden of providing offense, leadership and firepower to the Purple and Gold. The former Mavericks guard averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc.

The Lakers didn't get off to a good start, and then they also lost Doncic for a few games due to injury, and during that time, Reeves was leading the way in the frontcourt. The 27-year-old shooting guard averaged 28.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range. Their individual greatness helped the Lakers win some close games, and after struggling to find chemistry and connection early on, the Lakers found a formula before James returned.

After revamping their core and introducing a new support system, the Los Angeles Lakers finally found a way out of the darkness. A stellar offense from Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, combined with elite coaching from Redick, has this team poised to make a serious run at a championship. They have an 8-4 record in their first 12 games, which puts them in fifth place in the Western Conference. James' return will be a brilliant addition to this already turbulent team, which has clear and reasonable championship aspirations; and the following November's schedule is not a difficult stage for the Lakers, with games against the Pelicans, Bucks, Jazz, Clippers, and Mavericks. This will help James reintegrate into the Lakers and establish a better chemical reaction. What do you think?