As the Los Angeles Lakers begin a new chapter in their history, Luka Doncic is expected to be the face of it. But LeBron James remains in the fold until further notice, which makes for an intriguing situation.
James is in his 23rd season and the expectation is that he has at least a year left in his playing career. Ideally, L.A. can win a championship to add to Doncic’s resume and strengthen James’ case as an all-time great against Michael Jordan.
As new faces enter the NBA, many were raised on watching the four-time champion, as well as another Lakers legend in Kobe Bryant. Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham shares that sentiment, as he named James, Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in his all-time starting five, via Legion Hoops:
Cade Cunningham’s All-Time Starting 5:
Stephen Curry
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Shaquille O’Neal(via @Fanatics, h/t @Curry_Muse)pic.twitter.com/duIyHETeRF
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 24, 2025
Cunningham is confident in his lineup because each player left an everlasting impact on the game of basketball. Golden State Warriors four-time champion Stephen Curry revolutionized the 3-point line and now it is a big a part of the game as ever.
Jordan is in his own tier in the eyes of many, winning six titles and creating a dynasty with the Chicago Bulls. Then, Bryant was viewed in a similar light with his competitive nature and etching himself as one of the greatest scorers ever.
Lastly, O’Neal was a physical big man who dominated every matchup. Despite flaws from a character perspective, he was still an extremely gifted player and won four championships, including three straight alongside Bryant in L.A.
All in all, the Pistons’ rising star assembled a well-rounded starting lineup with great talent across the board. Thanks to the Lakers’ historic legacy, plenty of legends have come through and when it comes to hypotheticals like this, it is hard not to include any Lakers.
LeBron James pleased with what new additions have brought to Lakers
This past offseason featured a bit of uncertainty with James reportedly contemplating his future in Los Angeles. In addition to monitoring what moves the Lakers made to see if they were serious about winning now, James wasn’t sure how much longer he wanted to continue playing.
Ultimately, general manager Rob Pelinka brought in Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia to improve the roster. While they are not the splashy moves, James remains pleased with what those three have brought to the table so far this season.
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