LeBron James has been shut down for the rest of the season, effectively missing the team's last six games of the 2018-19 campaign, including Sunday's 130-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. While head coach Luke Walton played a great role in “convincing” James to call it a wrap, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar knows the organization was only acting in his best interest by suggesting it:

“They’re looking out for my best interest, and that’s the way it is,” said James, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

James is a ruthless competitor, one who singlehandedly lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals with a hollowed-out roster by playing a total of 104 games last season, which combined every game of regular season and postseason play.

Asked if he was interested in taking the court in an otherwise lost season for the eliminated Lakers, James nodded, but prompted he's always willing to listen to sound advice:

“Of course I would love to still play, but I’ve always listened to the ones I trust, no matter if I always agreed with them or not.”

The Lakers are hoping James can fully get over his groin injury by adding a few more days of rest, while allowing him to get his offseason plans started early while the healthy players get some action in the last five games of the season.

Los Angeles has surprisingly won four of the last five games and is expected to be major players in a potential trade for Anthony Davis in the offseason.