LeBron James believes the Lakers can win another title before he retires

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a pretty quiet offseason, but star LeBron James still thinks they have a shot at winning a title before he retires.

“Of course,” James replied when asked by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin if the legend thinks he can win another title with the Lakers.

McMenamin then asked why James was so confident in his answer.

“‘Cause we’ve done it before,” the four-time MVP responded.

Misplaced faith?

Mar 13, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on while forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots free throws during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

James has experienced mixed results ever since joining the Lakers ahead of the 2018-19 season. In six seasons with the Lakers, he has missed the playoffs twice and also gotten out of the first round just twice.

He led the team to a title over the Miami Heat in the 2019-20 campaign (his first alongside Anthony Davis) and also was able to help the Lakers make it to the Western Conference Finals in 2023. They were swept in the conference finals that year by the Denver Nuggets, who then eliminated Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs this past season.

The 2020-21 season also saw the Lakers crash out in a disappointing manner, losing to the Phoenix Suns in the first round in six games. Injury troubles didn’t help Los Angeles at all.

So far this offseason, the Lakers haven’t really made major moves. They acquired Dalton Knecht and Bronny James through the draft and re-signed young wing Max Christie. D’Angelo Russell picked up his player option as well.

Most of last season’s core is still in town, and the players will now be led by JJ Redick, who was hired to replace Darvin Ham.

Due to moves other teams across the league have made this offseason, the Lakers seemingly aren’t viewed as one of the top contenders for this coming season.

Perhaps Rob Pelinka and the rest of the team’s front office are able to pull off a huge trade for a big-name player by the time the regular season rolls around, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point.

Los Angeles is probably stuck with what it currently has, but it’s clear that the elder James has the utmost confidence in the guys around him.