LeBron James, now firmly established as one of the elder statesmen in the NBA, recently expressed his frustration with the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason travel schedule. The star took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his displeasure about the team’s upcoming travel plans, specifically their one-off trip to Milwaukee to face the Bucks.

LeBron’s Concern Over Travel Schedule

After playing a preseason game at home against the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers are set to fly to Milwaukee for a single exhibition game on Thursday, only to return to Los Angeles for another preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors next Tuesday. This cross-country trek seems to have struck a nerve with James, who questioned the logic of such a journey. “Can someone please explain to me why we’re getting on a [plane emoji] and heading to Milwaukee for 1 pre-season game!?!?” he wrote on X.

James’ complaint highlights the unusual nature of the Lakers’ preseason schedule this year. Since 2019, the Lakers have largely remained in California for their preseason games, occasionally traveling within the state to play teams like the Sacramento Kings or Phoenix Suns. The trip to Milwaukee marks the first time in several years that the Lakers are traveling out of their division during preseason, raising questions about the necessity of such a long-distance game.

A Small Inconvenience in a Larger Context

While the trip to Milwaukee may be an inconvenience for a veteran player like James, it pales in comparison to the global travel commitments that other NBA teams face during the preseason. Many marquee teams have played overseas in places like Abu Dhabi, Japan, or China as part of the NBA Global Games initiative. In fact, the Lakers themselves traveled to China for two preseason games in 2019.

However, at nearly 40 years old, James’ frustration is understandable. The physical toll of constant travel can be demanding, even for elite athletes. James, who has been active on social media recently, seems to be feeling the grind of yet another long NBA season. Just a few days ago, he was vocal about his irritation over reports surrounding his decision to join the Lakers.

Although the trip to Milwaukee might be a minor disruption for most players, for James, it’s a sign that even NBA superstars can grow weary of the constant demands of their schedules. As the regular season approaches, the Lakers will be looking to keep their leader in peak form while navigating the physical demands of the long haul ahead.