The Los Angeles Lakers have started this season on a high note compared with their performance over the past half-decade. However, LeBron James and his squad are still doubted for several reasons.
A former NBA champion who is now a prominent voice in basketball media has identified what the Lakers are lacking and questioned whether their issues can be addressed.
Kendrick Perkins Thinks LeBron James and the Lakers Are Too Old To Win
With each passing year, fans are left wondering whether James will be able to keep up his antics for another season. After all, he has already pushed Father Time back for at least half a decade. His most recent case of sciatica is viewed as a chronic issue that could recur. That ultimately slowed his usual start to the season, forcing him to be sidelined and focus on off-court workouts before rejoining the team.
Luka Dončić is only 26 years old, a testament to his potential for continued improvement. It remains unclear whether Dončić’s conditioning and health will hold up well enough to help the Lakers in the postseason.
Although there is no denying that Dončić is one of the best players in league history, his lack of athleticism and defense has been cited as a factor that has limited how fully the Lakers can maximize his presence on the court.
While the Lakers sit at 19-6, the team still has several issues that need to be addressed. According to Kendrick Perkins, the former NBA champion and current analyst, the Lakers are simply too old and lack key defensive attributes.
“The thing is, when you look at the Lakers, they look old. They lack athleticism, they lack perimeter defense, and that’s gonna be the problem come postseason time. That’s why I cannot anoint them as being legit title contenders.”
“You look at the Lakers, and they just look old. … This is why I can’t anoint them as being legit title contenders.”
—@KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/xKvDi9s35c
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 24, 2025
That is certainly a blunt way to frame the discussion. With a backcourt featuring Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers could face concerns about defensive tenacity on the perimeter. That issue could become even more pronounced once James eventually retires.
Entering their Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers are 4-5 for the month and have posted a 123.6 defensive rating, the third worst in the NBA over that span.
Age and injuries are a natural consequence of time, something the Lakers, like every franchise, ultimately cannot avoid.
