Former Los Angeles Lakers champion Horace Grant has issued a stark warning about the team's future without LeBron James. This comes as the Lakers navigate a tough stretch, most recently falling 110-115 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 12, 2026, part of a 1W-4L run where they've lost their last four games.
What did Horace Grant say about LeBron James leaving?
Grant, who won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2001, made his feelings clear in an interview with Action Network. He stressed that the departure of a player of James's caliber leaves a major void that the franchise cannot simply overlook, regardless of the four-time champion's age.
"With a guy like LeBron, I don't care if he's 50 years old," Grant said. "When he leaves a team, it can't be good." He also praised James for maintaining a high level of play deep into his career, adding, "I have the highest praise for LeBron being 42 and still playing at a high level. I'm a big fan of the young man."
Why does this warning matter for the Los Angeles Lakers now?
Grant's comments land as the Lakers are actively building their next chapter around Luka Doncic. The team's recent results highlight the challenge of moving on from a legendary figure. Their last five games show a 1W-0D-4L record, with the sequence reading L-L-L-L-W from most recent to oldest.
Losing four straight, including that 5-point defeat to the Thunder, puts a spotlight on the adjustment period. James's exit removes one of the most accomplished players in NBA history from the roster. This creates immense pressure on the new core to produce wins and fill the leadership gap, a task reflected in the current slump.
What is the Lakers' path forward without LeBron?
The franchise has fully embraced Doncic as the centerpiece of its plans. However, Grant believes that strategic shift doesn't lessen the significance of losing a talent like James. The warning is rooted in the tangible impact James had on the court every night, an impact now missing from the Lakers' lineup.
Building chemistry and a new identity takes time, something the recent form painfully illustrates. The team must now find consistent scoring, playmaking, and defensive stops from other sources. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page to see how they respond.
Success will depend on how well the supporting cast, including any future additions, elevates its game around Doncic. The front office's decisions in the coming months will be critical for stabilizing the roster. For now, the Lakers are in a transitional phase, grappling with the reality Grant described while trying to forge a new winning tradition.
