At the Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, visitors are greeted by bronze statues of legendary Lakers. There’s Magic Johnson signaling a pass, Jerry West going for a layup, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar launching a skyhook, Shaquille O’Neal dominating at the rim, and Kobe Bryant pointing skyward after his remarkable 81-point game.
The Lakers don’t just sculpt figures; they immortalize eras. This raises an interesting question: where does LeBron James belong in this esteemed lineup?
Opinions on this matter circulate quietly—sometimes passionately—especially after former Lakers player and general manager Mitch Kupchak recently shared his thoughts with the California Post.
Kupchak stated, “LeBron [James] absolutely deserves it,” as if it were obvious to everyone. His statement stands in stark contrast to Byron Scott’s opinion, which downplayed the idea of a statue for LeBron. Scott noted that James won his lone championship with the Lakers during the pandemic-altered 2020 season in Orlando, suggesting that one title doesn’t equate to the legacy of the team’s all-time greats.
“Look at the players with statues at Crypto.com,” Scott opined, “They’ve given their all to the Lakers and secured multiple championships.”
Kupchak, however, views the Lakers’ history as expansive—not confined to a rigid hierarchy. He pointed to the statue itself as a testament to the greatness within the franchise and mentioned that figures like Phil Jackson, James Worthy, and Michael Cooper also merit recognition.
Yet, he maintains that LeBron will eventually find his place in this conversation. James continues to break records, staving off age and reshaping what longevity means in basketball, and Kupchak believes this ongoing narrative enhances, rather than diminishes, his case for a statue.
There’s even a hint of future potential in Kupchak’s insight, as he mentioned, “Maybe Luka-san [Doncic] will get one someday.”
This is how discussions evolve in Los Angeles; the exchanges of today can foster future monuments. It will ultimately be up to Mark Walter’s ownership to decide who merits this honor. But if Kupchak’s perspective holds true, it seems LeBron may remain outside the annals of Lakers history for a while.
He could find himself standing outside, forever.
