LeBron likes going off script

NBA legend Byron Scott commented on the future of LA Lakers star LeBron James and assessed his place among the franchise’s greats.

On Monday’s episode of “Byron Scott’s Fast Break” podcast, Scott discussed James’ career and legacy with former NBA center Olden Polynice. Scott agreed with Polynice’s remark that James is not a “true Laker.”

“I think that’s part of it,” Scott said. “And I think, the fact that you got so many great players that retired a Laker, I think LeBron like going off script.”

According to Scott and Polynice, a “true Laker” is someone who spent their entire career with purple and gold. These include Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kobe Bryant. They also mentioned Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as they achieved greatness and retired with the team.

Scott won three NBA championships as part of the “Showtime Lakers” led by Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980s. The 6-foot-4 guard later coached the team for two seasons from 2014 to 2016.

Byron Scott predicts LeBron James would finish his career with the Cavaliers

LA Lakers legend Bryon Scott predicted that the 2025-26 season will be LeBron James’ final year with the team. James is currently in his NBA-record 23rd season and eighth with the Lakers.

In the same podcast episode on Monday, Scott said the four-time champion could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint to play his final season.

“I think this is his final year with the Lakers,” Scott said. “I think he’ll go back to Cleveland and play one more year there and then get the statue and all the stuff they are going to do in Cleveland. … For me, he got one more year left after this. That’s what I see.

“I think the city would really really love him even moreso and respect the fact that he came back home for his final season, to retire a Cleveland Cavalier. I think that would be fitting.”

James is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game on 50.4% shooting. The 22-time NBA All-Star is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.