Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is in the running for the best player in the history of the NBA and has accomplished more in his pro career than the overwhelming majority of players could ever dream of. However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his fair share of detractors.

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has been critical of James for a while now, and he recently went off on the all-time great player, whose Lakers future seems to be unclear right now.

Dave Portnoy calls LeBron James a ‘total bum’ and ‘failure’ pic.twitter.com/OanHzdr3Iy

— New York Post (@nypost) July 15, 2025

“I will say this — LeBron James is one of the greatest losers in the history of the Lakers organization,” Portnoy said. “He quite literally has never won anything. He’s going to go back to that bubble, and boy that bubble saved his life. His Lakers teams have not been a threat to do anything. He’s been a total bum, a total failure. He’s ruined the franchise — he forced them at gunpoint to draft their kid. He, to then be like, ‘I’m mad.’ All they’ve tried to do is accommodate him, and they’ve made a mockery out of a once proud franchise.”

Portnoy’s comments mark far from the first time he has criticized James, and it probably won’t be the last, either, considering James is a household name.

Back when one of the biggest stories in all of sports was WNBA star Britney Griner’s quagmire in Russia after she was convicted on drug smuggling and possession charges, Portnoy called James a “fool” for blaming the United States for Griner’s situation.

James has more important things to focus on than what Portnoy has to say, however, as he is heading into his 23rd season in the NBA after he exercised his player option with the Lakers worth more than $50 million for the coming 2025-26 season.

Assuming he suits up in the campaign, he will set a league record for the most seasons played by any one player.

Currently, he’s in a tie with former guard Vince Carter for the most campaigns logged in NBA history.

While there has been plenty of speculation about the possibility of James getting traded or the Lakers buying out his contract lately, one report from The Athletic has poured cold water on the possibility of James leaving the storied franchise soon.

The Lakers have reportedly been given no indication by James or his representatives that he will request a trade or ask to be bought out of the last year of his current contract.

Perhaps all the drama will be for naught and James will still be a member of the Lakers for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, and hopefully he will add to his ring count in 2026.