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When LeBron James took his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers five years ago, fans were excited because it meant the team was relevant again after missing the playoffs the previous five seasons.
Becoming a championship team, on the other hand, was a taller order.
The Lakers were expected to be a solid team for the 2018-19 season with James and young prospects such as Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball. Unfortunately, all four suffered injuries and ailments that ultimately torpedoed the year and resulted in L.A. missing the playoffs.
Lance Stephenson, a veteran forward on that team, told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson while at And 1’s Open Run at Kingdome in Harlem, New York that he thinks had it not been for injuries, it would’ve won the NBA championship.
LeBron James’ Lakers would’ve won Championship in 2019 if LeBron & Kyle Kuzma hadn’t gotten hurt says Lance Stephenson to @BallySports.
“We woulda won it!”
“LeBron got hurt that year with his groin, Kuzma got hurt. A lot of guys got hurt, I feel like we would’ve won it that… pic.twitter.com/dnFUMAQUt6
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) July 27, 2023
Ultimately, management knew the roster wasn’t quite at the level Stephenson claims it was, and it pulled off a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis in the summer of 2019. Davis teamed up with James to immediately win the Lakers their 17th world title in their first season together.