Richard Jefferson Thinks the Lakers Won't Live Up to the Hype

Jefferson is making a bold statement there, but he is making a good point. Considering the Western Conference is filled to the brim with talented teams, the Lakers will need a top-tier performance from the entire team to compete.

Most NBA fans can agree that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets are the runaway favorites in the West. The Lakers have the ceiling to compete with them, but the team beyond Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves can be questionable.

Jefferson Picks Multiple Teams Over the Lakers

As the Lakers embark on the 2025-26 season, they will want to compete at the highest level. With head coach JJ Redick at the helm, anything is possible with this team.

Redick and Doncic are the building blocks for the team's long-term future, but they also want to succeed before James retires from the NBA. The 2025-26 season is a promising chance because they are top-heavy, but the team's role players still have potential, like Deandre Ayton.

Unfortunately, Jefferson is not one of the Lakers' believers, as he sees them peaking at a team that makes the second round of the Playoffs.

"If you are the third-best team in the league, I don’t see the Lakers going out in the second round, which I believe is probably the max that their team can do unless they get really lucky," Jefferson said on Road Trippin'.

"If they get Oklahoma City, if they get Houston (Rockets), even if they get Denver in the first or second round, they’re going to lose. That’s what I’m saying. The Lakers are a lot further away than what I think we really want to try and give them credit for."

The Lakers are Under Pressure to Perform in the 2025-26 Season

With James' window closing, the Lakers would love to keep him on the team and help them compete. He is still a top player even if he is in his 40s. However, they are stuck between two timelines, considering Doncic is still in his 20s, and he will want to lead the team.

It is up to the front office and the coaching staff to help this team succeed in the 2025-26 season. They have the roster to compete, but they might not be enough to go against the Thunder and the Nuggets.

Jefferson's thoughts on the Lakers hit the nail on the head because the Lakers will have to perform against some of the best teams in the league. If they can surpass those teams, the Lakers could win the championship.