Kendrick Perkins and Channing Frye Clash Over LeBron James Lakers Statue Debate

Frye pointed toward the specific culture of the Lakers and their fanbase.

He explained that these statues are reserved for “lifers” who spent their entire careers or their most dominant years with the Lakers.

James arrived in Los Angeles at age 33 as a free agent. Since then, he has spent eight seasons with the team.

Frye added that one title in eight years might not be enough for a fanbase that saw players like Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher win multiple rings without getting statues.

Meantime, Perkins argued that the impact James had on the city was too big to ignore. He reminded the group that James delivered a championship and a Finals MVP in 2020 when the franchise was struggling to find its way. 

James also broke the all-time NBA scoring record while wearing a Lakers jersey. To Perkins, these historic feats should outweigh any “lifer” rules. He feels James brought global eyes back to the team after the retirement of Kobe Bryant.

Pat Riley was the latest to get his own statue unveiled in February 2026. That reminded everyone how high the bar is to get a monument outside the building. 

The High Standard for a Los Angeles Lakers Statue

Usually, it requires a mix of long-term loyalty, several championships, and a connection with the community to get a statue. 

Legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant spent decades with the team and won at least five rings each.

Even Shaquille O’Neal, who was also a free-agent signing, won three straight titles. Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Chick Hearn are also part of this group.

James led the team to a title in 2020 and has been an All-Star every single year he has been in Los Angeles.

He has also passed the scoring record held by Abdul-Jabbar while wearing the Lakers jersey. However, compared to the five rings of Bryant or Johnson, one title can feel small.