Lakers Divided Over Potential LeBron James Statue at Crypto.com Arena

Mitch Kupchak expressed support for a LeBron James statue outside Crypto.com Arena, while Byron Scott opposed the idea citing James' single championship with the Lakers. The debate highlights differing views on legacy among former Lakers players and executives.

Former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak tells the California Post that LeBron James deserves a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, weighing in on a long-debated Lakers legacy topic.

com Arena and you’re instantly met with immortality cast in bronze. Magic Johnson pointing out the open man, Jerry West driving to the basket, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shooting his skyhook, Shaquille O'Neal hanging on the rim and Kobe Bryant pointing to the sky after an 81-point game.

The Lakers don’t just hand out statues. So, where does LeBron James fit in that sacred space?

That question — whispered, argued, shouted across Lakers forums for years — found a new voice this week when former Lakers player and longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak spoke exclusively to The California Post. “LeBron [James] of course deserves one,” he said, matter-of-fact, like he was pointing out that the sky is blue.

It’s a sharper stance than the one recently offered by Byron Scott, who dismissed the idea, citing James’ lone championship with the Lakers — the 2020 title won inside the Orlando bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic. One ring, Scott argued, isn’t enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with dynasties.

com, these are long lifers. They’ve been with the Lakers for almost their entire career, and they’ve had multiple championships,” Scott told TMZ.

But Kupchak sees the franchise differently. Not as a Mount Rushmore carved down to four faces but as a living museum. “There’s too many,” Kupchak said when asked to define the Lakers’ all-time hierarchy. Instead, he pointed to the statues themselves — the truest barometer of greatness in Los Angeles — and then added names he believes are still missing.