Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is currently in his 23rd NBA season. Over more than two decades in the league, James has not only dominated the regular season but has also been a consistent presence in the All-Star Game. James holds the record with 21 All-Star selections.
However, this season began differently for LeBron, as he missed the first 14 games while dealing with a sciatica injury. Now, questions have now emerged regarding his status for the 2026 All-Star Game.
Amid the growing concern, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green came forward to publicly support James. On his podcast, Green urged the league to ensure that King James remains part of the All-Star game.
“If he misses 50 percent of the fan vote, that’s going to make it really hard for him to be a starter,” Green said. “Then you start wondering whether the coaches vote him in as a reserve. And I don’t know. He’s only played 14 games. I don’t know how they’re evaluating this or what they’ll decide, but what I do know is they better make sure he’s in.
Draymond wants Adam Silver to find a way to put LeBron in the All-Star game
“I know a lot of people are like ‘oh man he shouldn’t be an All Star’. Shut up. Yes he should. He’s been the face of the NBA for 20 years. Figure it out.”
(h/t @HeatCulture13)
pic.twitter.com/Slb5AWu6EO— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 31, 2025
“I don’t know the right answer other than just figure it out,” he added. “I played in an All-Star Game where the commissioner added Dirk and D-Wade as legends of the game, because it was their last one. I know a lot of people are like ‘oh man he shouldn’t be an All Star’. Shut up. Yes he should. He’s been the face of the NBA for 20 years. Figure it out.”
So far, James has received 536,555 total fan votes for this season’s All-Star Game, placing him ninth among Western Conference players. Based on the current voting returns, there is a possibility that LeBron could still make the All-Star team but come off the bench rather than starting.
LeBron James Reveals Shift to Off-Ball Role as Lakers Continue to Struggle
The Los Angeles Lakers have recently been plagued by inconsistent play on the court, and their issues were on full display in a 128–106 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Following the defeat, LeBron James revealed that the Lakers’ coaching staff has intentionally asked him to play more off the ball this season.
“I haven’t really been on the ball,” LeBron said. “I don’t know if you’ve watched our games. I’ve been playing off the ball a lot. … If the coaches ask me to [play on-ball], then I can do that. But I’ve been playing mostly off the ball this year.”
With the defeat against Detroit, the Lakers have now dropped six of their last ten games. For a team with championship aspirations, that stretch represents a significant setback. The coaching staff needs to quickly address the team’s shortcomings and find the right balance before the window to turn the season around begins to close.
