With LeBron James recovering from a nerve injury and yet to debut in the 2025-26 season, speculation has arisen about a possible G League assignment for rehab purposes. According to reports, James could use time with the South Bay Lakers to get back into game shape through practices, though he wouldn't play in actual games. This wouldn't be unprecedented, as several NBA superstars have previously been sent to the G League for injury recovery.
LeBron James, a four-time league MVP, is rehabbing from a nerve injury that has delayed his season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovan Buha suggested that as a final step toward his return, James might be assigned to the team's G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to participate in practices and regain form. However, James would not see action in G League games, similar to past cases.
Historical examples include Amare Stoudemire, who in the 2012-13 season was assigned by the New York Knicks to the Erie Bayhawks following offseason knee surgery. Stoudemire used the time for practice but played no games there, appearing in just 29 games for the Knicks that year amid ongoing injury issues.
Anthony Davis, in his first season with the Dallas Mavericks during 2024-25, was sent to the Texas Legends late in the year to rehab a strained adductor muscle. After a week of practice, he returned and averaged 19.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks on 44.8 percent shooting for the rest of the season.
Other notable assignments include Blake Griffin to the Agua Caliente Clippers in 2017-18 after an MCL sprain, returning on December 29, 2017; Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Charge on November 22, 2023, for hamstring rehab; and Kawhi Leonard's two stints—first with the Austin Toros in December 2012 for a quad injury, and later with the Clippers' G League team on December 31, 2024, for a knee issue, debuting January 4, 2025.
Rudy Gobert stands out as he actually played in the G League during his 2013-14 rookie year with the Bakersfield Jam, averaging 13.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks over eight games. Stephen Curry was assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors in early March 2020 for hand injury recovery, participating in a scrimmage where he missed a potential game-winner, as noted by forward Roger Moute a Bidias. Tony Parker went to the G League in late 2017 for a torn quad but struggled to regain his form afterward.
These cases highlight how G League assignments, often injury-related, have aided superstars' returns without on-court play in most instances.