“Imagine being in a Lakers uniform, passing up Kobe, passing up Kareem” — Kendrick Perkins insists LeBron James deserves a statue in L.A. - NBA

After the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs, there is a real possibility that LeBron James has played his final game for the Purple and Gold.

James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and with the Lakers seemingly keen on paying Austin Reaves the bag, then Bron could become the odd man out in free agency.

With that being said, NBA talking heads are now debating whether Bron has earned the right to get a statue from the Lakers. James’ former teammate, Kendrick Perkins, says he definitely deserves one.

“Yes, he would, Fu— ng spent eight years,” said Perkins. “He better get a statue there. Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jeanie Buss, make the s–t happen. F–k what y’all talking about. F–k what the Laker Nation don’t accept and all that s–t. Bron has spent eight years, NBA championship, Finals MVP, breaking all types of fu—n records.”

LeBron broke records as a Laker

James has been with the Lakers since 2018 and although his cumulative 11-year tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers is longer, his eight consecutive seasons in Los Angeles are the longest of his 23-year NBA career

In LeBron’s eight years with the Lakers, the Lakers have made the playoffs six times and advanced to the Conference Finals twice, including 2020, when they won the NBA championship at the Orlando Bubble. James also led the Lakers to the first-ever NBA Cup title plus surpassed many all-time individual records while wearing purple and gold.

“Imagine being in a Lakers uniform, passing up Kobe, passing up Kareem on the all-time scoring list, then hitting 40,000 in a Lakers uniform. He deserves a fu—n’ statue in front of Crypto.com arena,” Perkins added.

Shaq said he isn’t opposed to LeBron getting a statue in L.A.

Like Perkins, Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal, who delivered three titles for the Lakers Nation, thinks that James deserves a stature for not only breaking the all-time scoring record but also for setting the new mark so high that it’s likely going to remain in Los Angeles forever.

“LeBron broke the record,” O’Neal, who was the Finals MVP in each of his three title wins in Los Angeles, said, alluding to James’ coronation as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. “And he did it as a Laker. Would I oppose him having a statue in Los Angeles? No, I wouldn’t. If they want to give him a statue, I’d be fine with that. He’s a great player, with great ability, and he did what he was supposed to do as a Laker.”

“The thing about the Lakers is, their fans are really greedy,” O’Neal added. “Okay, you got us this bubble championship, but when are you going to get us another? It’s always that.”

Shaq has a good point there. The expectations are so high in Los Angeles that they are not satisfied with James’ 2020 NBA title, especially since it came in a bubble.

But remember that Elgin Baylor has a statue and he never won an NBA title as a Laker. Jerry West also has one despite winning only one chip. Meanwhile, Shaq played the same number of years as LeBron. So why not LBJ, who brought the team back to relevancy in the post-Kobe era?

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“Imagine being in a Lakers uniform, passing up Kobe, passing up Kareem” — Kendrick Perkins insists LeBron James deserves a statue in L.A.

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