The ongoing debate surrounding the potential erection of a LeBron James statue at the Los Angeles Lakers’ arena has intensified amid speculation over his future with the team. In mid-2025, with LeBron opting into his $52.6 million player option and his agent Rich Paul signaling openness to his departure if championship hopes fade, questions arise about how the Lakers will honor his legacy, especially if he leaves on less favorable terms.
Brian Windhorst recently remarked,
The beginning of LeBron’s departure from the Lakers has begun…That departure could be into retirement. That departure could be another. But another way is on the table. I don’t know how it’s going to play out,
highlighting the uncertainty surrounding LeBron’s next steps.
Legacy Discussions Focus on Statues Despite Possible Rift
Despite the possibility of LeBron parting ways with the Lakers, basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb believes that the franchise will continue to recognize his contributions. Gottlieb compared LeBron’s situation with that of Shaquille O’Neal, whose career with the Lakers concluded amid discord but whose legacy remains revered.
Gottlieb explained,
They’ve done it with Shaq. And if you remember how Shaq’s career as a Laker ended, it was not well. You know, he’s yelling at Jerry Buss while running down the court that he won a new contract, and then they traded him. I mean, Shaq went and played for the Celtics, which to me is sacrilege if you’re a Laker, if you’re a tried-and-true Laker,
portraying Shaq’s tumultuous exit from the franchise.
He added,
But they acquiesced, and Shaq still historic Laker. Three championships. Put a statue out in front. It doesn’t mean there won’t be a statue of LeBron. Doesn’t mean they won’t hang his number up in the rafters. Why wouldn’t they?
Gottlieb also cautioned about a rough transition period:
there’s going to be a period of like five years where it’s not great between LeBron and the Lakers. After what happens in a divorce. And that divorce may happen before the season starts, may happen mid-season. It may not happen till after the season, right?
Shaquille O’Neal’s Enduring Influence on Lakers’ History
Shaquille O’Neal’s impact on the Lakers is widely regarded as monumental. As Lakers Nation reporter Suki Thind described, his presence was Larger Than Life, underscoring his dominance alongside Kobe Bryant in securing a rare three-peat for the franchise.
During his tenure, Shaq earned three NBA Finals MVP awards and became an international icon, forcing opposing teams to strategize specifically to contain him, similar to the adjustments made for Michael Jordan. However, his time with the Lakers was not without conflict. His well-known feud with Kobe Bryant and contract disputes during the 2003-04 season created internal tension.
Shaq’s physical decline that year, coupled with front office reluctance to offer a contract extension, led to his trade request and eventual move to the Miami Heat in 2004.
Despite the acrimonious ending, the Lakers honored Shaquille O’Neal by retiring his No. 34 jersey in April 2013, nearly a decade after his departure and two years after his retirement. In 2017, the team installed a nine-foot-tall, 1,200-pound sculpture of him outside Crypto.com Arena to commemorate his lasting legacy.
Weighing LeBron’s Legacy in Comparison to Shaq’s
While LeBron James has only secured one championship with the Lakers, his role as the face of the organization for seven years cannot be overlooked. Since joining the team, LeBron broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record and has been instrumental in leading the Lakers to five playoff appearances out of seven seasons.
His arrival notably boosted attendance and merchandise sales dramatically, with StubHub reporting ticket price increases exceeding 400 percent, making Lakers games some of the most expensive in the league.
The debate continues over whether LeBron deserves a statue given his comparatively shorter stint and fewer championships with the team relative to Shaq. Supporters point to his influence on and off the court, while skeptics question if the honor may be premature.
Shaq’s Opinion on the Honors Deserved by LeBron
The conversation about LeBron’s future recognition gains additional weight given Shaquille O’Neal’s perspective. As a Lakers legend whose turbulent exit did not diminish the franchise’s appreciation of his contributions, Shaq’s stance influences the ongoing discussion about honoring great players despite complicated departures.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does LeBron James sleep 12 hours?
A. LeBron sleeps about 12 hours daily. He generally gets 8 to 9 hours at night and takes a three-hour nap in the afternoon.
When discussing his routine, James mentioned, “It might seem strange, but throughout my 13-year career, I’ve napped almost every day, especially on game days.”