Speaking on the ‘Run it Back’ podcast, former NBA swingman Channing Frye got real on the Los Angeles Lakers and how they hold up against the rest of the league. Much to the chagrin of Lakers Nation, he denied that they have any chance to win the title as presently constructed.
“With the Lakers?” Frye said when asked about their chances to win it all. “No, that’s a zero. That’s a zero. That is a zero, good try. I love you guys. I mean, put it this way. If we stop right now, who they playing in the play-in? The [Golden State] Warriors? That’s a 50-50 chance right there… Bron, listen, that’s my guy. I love you. If I saw him, I’d tell him the same thing. ‘Hey, you had a great year, big guy. That’s crazy. You’re 39. I sweat going up the stairs. I need a breath. You out here averaging 25. But, it ain’t it.’”
Truth be told, Frye has every reason to doubt the Lakers. At just 31-28 this season, they’ve been painfully mediocre and are clinging to the 10th seed with a large gap out of the play-in. Outside of the star duo, the players have been inconsistent on both ends of the court and often struggle to hit enough shots to keep up with opposing offenses. If not for LeBron James, the Lakers might have elected to rebuild years ago.
As the King’s former teammate, Channing Frye knows more than anyone how dangerous LeBron can be even at this stage of his career. During their time in Cleveland together, LeBron almost single-handily took the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals and led the comeback that resulted in their only championship in 2016.
This season, with the Lakers, LeBron is still one of the best players in the world with averages of 25.0 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game on 52.4% shooting. He’s played 51 out of the 59 games so far and his steady hand is one of the few things that has kept the Lakers alive in the West standings.
The Los Angeles Lakers Will Go Star Hunting This Summer
Regardless of what happens this season, the Lakers have plans to tip the odds in their favor during this upcoming offseason. With multiple contracts coming off the books, GM Rob Pelinka has given his team flexibility to not only adjust their core rotation but make significant upgrades in the form of trades.
At the top of the list is Hawks point guard Trae Young. This season, Young is dropping 26.4 points, 10.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and he’s exactly the type of shooter, playmaker, and ball handler who can take the Lakers to another level. While Los Angeles will not be the only team in pursuit of Trae, they will be among the most aggressive given what’s at stake with LeBron’s final stretch.
Another player who could make a difference for the Lakers is Warriors legend Klay Thompson. While Klay has struggled this season and hasn’t been an All-Star in some time, his reputation, championship experience, and threat level on the perimeter could make him a prime candidate to join forces with LeBron James.
Whether it’s via trade or free agency, the Lakers don’t intend to stand by and run it back next season. As for the current campaign, it’s hard to deny that they are several steps behind the top dogs in the West, like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers. But stranger things have happened before and this Lakers team has proven before that they save some of their best basketball for April, May, and June.
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