Shaquille O’Neal believes LeBron James’ Lakers legacy is important however falls in need of the franchise’s most adorned stars due to his championship complete. James gained one title throughout his eight-season Lakers tenure, whereas the franchise’s main championship winners collected a number of championships in Los Angeles.
“The great factor for LeBron is he did win one. However you understand, Kareem obtained 6, Magic obtained 5, Kobe obtained 5, I obtained 4, Rambis obtained 3. So you understand, he’s on the celebration, however he’s not on stage,” O’Neal mentioned.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and delivered the group’s seventeenth championship in 2020. That title got here throughout his second season in Los Angeles, when James averaged 25.3 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists in 67 regular-season video games earlier than main the Lakers by means of the Orlando bubble postseason.
His Lakers tenure additionally included sustained particular person manufacturing regardless of vital adjustments to the roster. James averaged not less than 24.4 factors per sport in each season from 2018-19 by means of 2024-25, together with 30.3 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 56 video games through the 2021-22 season.
James remained productive into his 40s. In 2024-25, at age 40, he averaged 24.4 factors, 7.8 rebounds and eight.2 assists whereas taking pictures 51.3% from the sector, then averaged 20.9 factors, 6.1 rebounds and seven.2 assists over 60 video games in 2025-26.
The 2025-26 season was James’ closing marketing campaign with the Lakers. Los Angeles completed 53-29, good for fourth place within the Western Convention, earlier than being swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
James completed his Lakers run with one championship, three All-NBA first-team alternatives, two All-NBA third-team alternatives and eight All-Star alternatives throughout his eight seasons with the franchise. His broader NBA résumé contains 4 championships, 4 MVP awards and 4 Finals MVP awards.
O’Neal’s comparability locations James towards a gaggle of Lakers gamers whose championship totals outlined their time with the franchise. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gained 5 of his six NBA championships with the Lakers, Magic Johnson gained all 5 of his championships with Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant gained all 5 with the Lakers, and O’Neal gained three of his 4 titles with the group.
The Lakers’ resolution to maneuver ahead with out James in 2026 has now ended his eight-year run with the franchise. Los Angeles is constructing its subsequent period round Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler after reaching the Western Convention semifinals in 2026.
James leaves the Lakers with one championship and eight All-Star alternatives.
