The Los Angeles Lakers have a roster that can compete for a championship. It is not perfect, and it will be interesting to see how all the pieces fit together, but between LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura (among others), they have enough talent to at least contend.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith does not believe in them, however.
In fact, he believes that LeBron James would have a much better shot at ending his career with a championship if he were to return to his former team, his hometown team.
Stephen A. Smith Sees LeBron James Winning With Cleveland Cavaliers Before Los Angeles Lakers
There has been plenty of talk, and I mean plenty, regarding the future of LeBron James. He is in the final year of his deal with the Lakers. Will he play out the year with the Purple and Gold and then retire? Will he hit free agency next summer and go after one more contract? Or will he be traded to another contender before the trade deadline?
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It has been made very clear that the Lakers are Luka Doncic’s team moving forward. But while the gossip has been heavy, that does not mean that the Lakers do not want James around until he retires.
But are the Lakers the best option for LeBron? Stephen A. doesn’t believe so.
In a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. spoke about why LeBron should leave the Lakers (assuming he is able to get traded) for the Cavs.
“It has become crystal clear that the weather and Hollywood are the only reason that LeBron is there, cause he damn sure ain’t winning no damn Championship there. It ain’t goin’ happen, ok. Not with Oklahoma City. Be mindful of Dallas. Don’t dismiss Houston. Minnesota and Ant-Man already sent them home.”
"Why don't you just come back to Cleveland and end your career? He'd have a better chance of winning a championship in Cleveland than he would in LA [with the Lakers]."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 8, 2025
Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James should return to the Cavs 🗣️
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/23NHjPUp3f
The West is clearly a gauntlet; that is no mystery. It has been that way for years. The East has always been a bit top-heavy, and the West has been extremely deep, where, at times, any eight teams that make the playoffs have a shot to make the title.
Smith continues.
“Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland and end your career. He’d have a better chance at winning the Championship in Cleveland than in LA. The road through the Western Conference is arduous to say the least… If LeBron James came back to Cleveland, you the favorites to come out of the East.”
Los Angeles Lakers Not A True Contender
This is where the real debate is. Are the Los Angeles Lakers, as currently constructed, a true contender? Can they get out of the vaunted West?
I think we have to see the season begin to play out before we can really answer that, obviously. We know that LeBron and Luka are going to be great, but is Ayton the Big that this team has been missing? Can Austin Reeves continue his recent dominance? Is the bench deep enough to be trusted for a deep playoff run?
If we get to the NBA Trade Deadline and we still don’t know the answer to any of those questions, then Stephen A. is probably right. Sending LeBron to the Cavs may end up being better for both organizations.
But we have a long way until we need to answer those questions. For now, the Los Angeles Lakers are doing everything to contend for a title this year, with LeBron James on the roster.
Thoughts, Laker Nation? Comment below!