LeBron James is managing chronic arthritis in his left foot as he prepares for his unprecedented 24th NBA season, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James’ daily routine at the Philadelphia 76ers’ training complex begins around 7:45 a.m., where he works with longtime athletic trainer Mike Mancias on stretching, activation and other treatments.
According to sources cited by McMenamin, particular attention is being paid to James’ left foot, which has chronic arthritis, as well as his lower back. The back issue caused James to miss the first month of the 2025-26 season because of sciatica.
The 41-year-old James is entering his first season with the 76ers after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia, with a player option for the second season.
Despite his age and the physical demands of his 23-year NBA career, James remains a major contributor. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 games for the Lakers last season, shooting 51.5% from the field.
That followed a 2024-25 campaign in which James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games while shooting 51.3% from the field. He was selected to the All-NBA Second Team at age 40.
James has now appeared in 1,622 regular-season games over his career, starting 1,620 of them. He has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists while earning 22 All-Star selections and 20 All-NBA selections.
His move to Philadelphia gives him another opportunity to compete alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while the Sixers also added Jaylen Brown during the offseason.
Philadelphia finished 45-37 last season before being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The team subsequently reshaped its roster, trading Paul George to Boston for Brown and adding James in free agency.
The projected starting lineup of Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid gives Philadelphia considerable offensive talent, but James’ physical workload will be closely monitored throughout the season.
