Charles Barkley raises big questions about the LA Lakers, ‘Is Luka going to…’

It was a messy start to the summer for the Lakers, and NBA legend Charles Barkley had plenty to say about their chances next season.

Charles Barkley has major questions about the LA Lakers’ next season

Barkley, speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, highlighted some big issues on the Lakers’ current roster. He was asked about what the Lakers’ signing of Ayton does for their chances.

He replied, “They got bigger. But their second-best player is 41 years old. Can [James] stay healthy? Is Luka going to be in shape?

“Are they better than the Rockets, better than Oklahoma City? Are they better than Denver? I would not say so, no.”

He went on to question what Ayton will bring to the team, adding, “I gotta go by [Ayton’s] track record, and it’s not a good track record.”

That’s actually an optimistic outlook on the Lakers’ future. It’s in serious doubt whether James will be a Laker next season as he eyes a fifth championship, and the Lakers eye the summer of 2027. 

It becomes increasingly unlikely that James will be on the team by the end of the season.

LeBron James may leave the LA Lakers by Spring 2026, say NBA analysts

All signs are pointing towards the departure of James from the Lakers, and ESPN’s Senior Writer Ramona Shelbourne and NBA Insider Brian Windhorst say that Spring 2026 is the likely departure time. 

They wrote, “The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season.

“It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star’s time as the face of the Lakers had, for the first time, a planned end date, even if James’ record-setting NBA career did not yet.

“Whether the 2025-26 season is to be James’ final season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wanted the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give legends of the game, the release date was set. Spring, 2026. Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out.”

It was made clear by Shams Charania earlier in the offseason that James’ primary goal was to win a championship. Therefore, if Barkley is right and the Lakers are behind at least three teams in the West, James may be out the door and going for his fifth title for another team.