LeBron: Lakers not a championship team
LeBron James isn't optimistic about the Los Angeles Lakers' title chances.
Following L.A.'s 119-110 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, James offered arguably his strongest criticism of the Lakers this season.
"You want me to compare to us to them?" James said postgame when asked about the difference between his team and the Thunder. "That's a championship team right there. We're not, so I don't understand."
James led the Lakers with 22 points and 10 assists but missed all four his of 3-point attempts, including one with 40.7 seconds left that would have reduced Oklahoma City's lead to two. Thunder star Jalen Williams, who returned from a 10-game absence due to a hamstring strain, responded with four free throws down the stretch to finish with a game-high 23 points. Mark Daigneault's side played without MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the third straight game because of an abdominal issue.
"We can't sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can," James added. "That's why they won a championship."
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L.A.'s top scorer, Luka Doncic, missed his second consecutive contest because of a hamstring concern, while Austin Reaves suited up for his fourth game since returning from a calf strain that had sidelined him since Christmas.
The franchise's lone move ahead of the trade deadline was the acquisition of veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard, who contributed seven points versus Oklahoma City. The only outside help the Lakers can add the rest of the way would likely have to come through the buyout market.
James' blunt assessment appears to cast doubt on the four-time MVP's future with the organization. Back in June, James' agent, Rich Paul, said that his client "values a realistic chance of winning it all" and didn't rule out the two sides possibly parting ways in 2026. The 41-year-old is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and already has reported interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Monday's defeat put the Lakers eight games back of the Thunder for first in the Western Conference. JJ Redick's group currently sits fifth but is only one-and-a-half games clear of the seventh-place Phoenix Suns, who are aiming to claw out of the play-in bracket.
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