JJ Redick: Lakers ‘just being cautious’ with LeBron James

The Lakers are preaching patience with LeBron James, who missed Sunday’s game against the Pelicans because of a lingering left foot issue.

Coach JJ Redick told reporters the injury is something James has been dealing with and the team is “just being cautious,” per Dan Woike of The Athletic.

Redick added that the plan is not to hold James out of back-to-backs forever. In fact, he said both the coaching staff and LeBron want him to eventually play in those situations again.

“We are going to build him up,” Redick said before Sunday’s game, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

James turns 41 next month and has appeared in only four of the Lakers’ first 19 games. He is averaging 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, both career-lows, along with 8.3 assists.

Los Angeles faces Phoenix on Monday, though James’ status remains unclear.