NBA legend Charles Barkley gave his candid take on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers on “Inside the NBA” on ESPN. The former league MVP shared his thoughts on LeBron James and the team as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Charles Barkley Doesn’t Think the Lakers Are Contenders
The Lakers continue to hold a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but their position remains tenuous. The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets are close behind, and there is enough time left in the regular season for movement in the standings.
That precarious position became the topic of discussion among Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Barkley ahead of the Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Johnson noted that Luka Dončić and his team had strengthened their position by winning four of their last five games. Barkley initially joked that the panel was contractually obligated to discuss the Lakers. After drawing laughter from his co-hosts, he clarified his view.
“The Lakers are not a good team,” Barkley said. “I know we have to act like they’re a good team.”
Before he could continue, O’Neal interrupted him, saying they are indeed a good team.
“They’re solid, they’re not a contender,” Barkley replied. He then threw it back to O’Neal, asking whether they were contenders, to which he replied that they would be if they secured home-court advantage.
Charles Barkley: “The Lakers are not a good team. … They’re solid. They’re not a contender.” pic.twitter.com/lya59JmVfv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 8, 2026
Securing home-court advantage is still in the mix for the Lakers. They are 39-25 and sit at No. 5 in the West, a full-game behind the 39-23 Houston Rockets and 40-24 Minnesota Timberwolves, who are No. 3 and No. 4 in the standings, respectively.
The Lakers temporarily widened the gap between themselves and the Suns by defeating the Knicks 110-97 on Sunday. The victory also tied them with the Nuggets in the standings. However, the 36-27 Suns, who trail by 2.5 games, could close the gap if they defeat the Charlotte Hornets in their next game.
The playoff race in the West is shaping up to be tight, especially among teams in third through sixth place. These squads, including the Lakers, all have a chance to fall out of a guaranteed postseason spot and into the play-in.
Before any of them could think about being contenders, they would have to survive the final stretch of the regular season.
