The Los Angeles Lakers are facing renewed scrutiny after a rough stretch in the middle of the NBA season.
Los Angeles has dropped three straight games, including a 119-96 blowout loss to the Houston Rockets. The defeat triggered visible frustration inside the organization. Head coach JJ Redick did not hold back afterward, warning that he “won’t tolerate another 53 games of this” and promising an uncomfortable practice.
The comments sparked debate across the league, including strong criticism from Kendrick Perkins. Speaking on First Take, Perkins questioned Redick’s approach and leadership.
“I don’t like them again,” Perkins said. “And it’s something that JJ Redick is going to have to work on because right now, when you talk about guys not competing at a high level… that’s a reflection on you as a head coach. That means that you don’t have the ears of that locker room. That means you don’t have the attention of their locker room. And that’s a problem.”
Kendrick Perkins says the best solution is for LeBron to move on from the Lakers:
“LeBron and the Lakers… Their relationship has run its course… He knows that this roster don’t have enough.”
(via @FirstTake, h/t @ClutchPoints)pic.twitter.com/zzjKmIhiEm— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 26, 2025
Perkins then turned his focus to LeBron James, whom he knows well from their time together on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Perkins said LeBron’s body language during the Rockets’ loss stood out. He described James as disengaged, frustrated, and visibly upset. According to Perkins, when LeBron feels a certain way, “his body speaks,” and it was clear on the court.
“I know this man when he’s not engaged, or he feels some type of way, his body speaks in his body language,” Perkins said. “Last night, his body language was awful. He was not engaged. He was pouting. He was moping. He was walking up and down the damn floor. He was complaining.”
That led Perkins to a blunt conclusion, and he believes the relationship between LeBron and the Lakers has run its course. Perkins said the roster is not built to contend and that LeBron knows it.
“What LeBron and the Lakers have, their relationship has run its course, and they need to figure out a solution,” Perkins said. “And the solution is not him being in the Los Angeles Lakers uniform. I know LeBron James is old, but he knows that this roster is not built. He has went to 10, 15 NBA Finals. He knows that this roster don’t have enough.”
Perkins pointed to recent comments from Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, who admitted the Lakers are not true title contenders. In Perkins’ view, the best solution is for both sides to move on.
“So they both feel that way,” Perkins said. “I just feel like right now they gotta have a coming to Jesus meeting more so than what’s next for us, the Lakers and LeBron James – more than anything.”
On the court, LeBron is still productive in his 22nd season. He averages 20.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.1 rebounds while shooting efficiently. Still, his age (40), workload, and roster limitations are shaping the discussion.
Despite a strong 19-10 record, the Lakers’ ceiling remains uncertain, and trade talk may only grow louder.
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