LeBron James issues big complaint about Lakers’ preseason schedule

Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James is firmly in his “get off my lawn” era.

The Los Angeles Lakers star James took to X on Wednesday with a major complaint about the team’s preseason schedule. The Lakers, who played an exhibition at home against Phoenix on Sunday, are now flying to Milwaukee for a one-game road contest against the Bucks on Thursday. They will then return home for another preseason game against Golden State next Tuesday.

“Can someone please explain to me why we’re getting on a [plane emoji] and heading to Milwaukee for 1 pre-season game!?!?” James wrote in a post.

Can someone please explain to me why we’re getting on a and heading to Milwaukee for 1 pre-season game!?!?

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 9, 2024

Indeed, this is the first time since 2019 that the Lakers have had to go on the road in the preseason to face an Eastern Conference opponent. Usually, the Lakers remain in California throughout the preseason (sometimes going on the road to face Sacramento or Golden State). In fact, the furthest the Lakers have had to travel during the preseason over the last few years has been to Phoenix in order to play another divisional opponent in the Suns.

That said though, the trek to Milwaukee is a small inconvenience in the grand scheme of things for a star professional athlete like James. Other marquee teams have find themselves playing preseason games overseas in Abu Dhabi or Japan in recent years as part of the NBA Global Games (the Lakers themselves traveled to China for a pair of preseason games in 2019).

But as he nears his 40th birthday, James has been on a heater lately when it comes to the gripes on social media. A few days ago, he also complained about a report on why he came to the Lakers.