Los Angeles Lakers could be facing a nightmare scenario as they prepare to pay a huge sum to LeBron James, despite not having him available.
The 40-year-old NBA icon is entering his 23rd season in the league, hoping to add to his incredible legacy.
He has already won four championships and is the league's all-time leading scorer, but he remains hungry to take the Lakers back to the Finals.
However, those ambitions have been hit by a major setback.
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James has been diagnosed with sciatica on his right side and is expected to be out for 'at least three to four weeks,' according to Shams Charania.
Sciatica is a pain in the sciatic nerve that runs down the lower back and through the leg.
It is the latest injury problem for James, who also missed the start of the training camp with a nerve issue in his glute.
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It is a huge blow for the team, who will begin their campaign without their biggest name.
James is also their highest-paid player on the roster, earning a massive $52.6 million a year.
That means the Lakers will have to pay James between $3 million and $4 million in wages while he recovers from injury.
But that total could rise further if his recovery takes longer than expected.
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James is expected to be sidelined for all of October, including the Lakers' season opener against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
It will be the first time in his career that he has have missed the start of an NBA season.
James also struggled with injuries at the end of last season, spraining the MCL in his left knee, which forced him to miss part of the play-offs.
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Despite that, he was a regular for the Lakers last season, playing 70 of their 82 matches, having played 71 in the campaign before.
His importance to the team was highlighted by his strong performance in the MVP vote, where he finished sixth.
However, the Lakers' play-off run ended in disappointment, as they were beaten by the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the first round.
This season, the Lakers enter the campaign with an inexperienced roster, and few expect them to challenge for the championship.
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That roster includes James's son Bronny, who is heading into his second campaign in the league.
Last year, the pair made history when they they became the first father-son duo to ever play together.
Topics: Lebron James, NBA, Injury, Basketball
James Taylor