‘If Not This Year, LeBron James Will Never Win Title With Lakers,' Claims Former NBA Player

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, Laen Rose has claimed that if the current season does not resume, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James will not get another shot at the Championship.

After winning the title with Cleveland Cavaliers, which was James’ third NBA trophy, he signed for Lakers, who were looking for a new superstar presence in the side following the retirement of Kobe Bryant. James failed to help Lakers return on the top as the side, in James’ maiden season, finished 10th in the points table of the Western Conference.

While James did not have much support in 2018-19, the arrival of Anthony Davis ahead of the current season turned tables around for the Los Angeles side. In addition to that, James has been in an exceptional form in the ongoing 2019-20 season and that has taken Lakers on the top of the table.

At present, all the leagues around the world have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before the suspension of the league, Lakers looked favorites to win the Championship but it might not be the same next season when the team’s average age will be on the higher side.

“You look at LeBron James in his 17th year… At his age, when you build a squad around him, of course, Anthony Davis is an anchor. But then, all of a sudden, you look deeper into the roster. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, Danny Green, Rajon Rondo — they don’t have long-term situations with the Lakers. They were brought there to try to win a championship this year,” Rose said on the latest episode of ESPN’s Get Up.

The former shooting guard, Rose went on to add that considering how well equipped Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are for the future, it won’t be easy for James to always find a place in the team.

“If this squad isn’t playing, what happens next year to a Kyle Kuzma, who really didn’t fit in with Anthony Davis and LeBron because he got injured as the season started. So for LeBron, other teams are ascending: The Clippers in their own building, and the Bucks in the Eastern Conference with Giannis, who’s probably going to win the MVP. So absolutely, this is LeBron’s window. If (the Lakers) don’t get it done this year, I don’t believe it happens,” the former Indiana Pacers’ Rose explained.