LeBron James Believes Lakers Can Make Run at 2023 NBA Title If Healthy

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is "disappointed" his team didn't add Kyrie Irving before the NBA trade deadline, but he remains confident in its championship potential.

James told ESPN's Michael Wilbon he believes the Lakers can win a title as long as they have health on their side.

"Since we won the championship in 2020, health has been on the wrong side of our franchise," he said at the 8:31 mark. "... We know there's gonna be nicks and bruises. Games off here, games off there. We understand that. But for the majority, if we can be healthy going down the later stretch of the season, we give ourselves a good chance."

The four-time NBA MVP isn't totally wrong, but he's echoing what has been said time and again after the Lakers looked to add another title following their 2020 Finals triumph. By now, it's tough to count on James and Anthony Davis staying healthy long enough to where it matters.

The pair combined to miss 63 games in 2020-21, 68 games in 2021-22 and 35 games so far in 2022-23.

This season has been especially cruel. Davis started performing at an MVP-type level in late November, a run highlighted by his 55-point, 17-rebound outing in a Dec. 4 win over the Washington Wizards.

It was what the Lakers needed to be a genuine contender, and optimism was building right up until a foot injury forced the eight-time All-Star to miss more than a month. Los Angeles treaded water until he returned.

James attempted to maintain a positive tone in his interview with Wilbon. His comments on Irving betray, however, what could be the truth of the situation. Even if LeBron and AD start every game the rest of the way, it might not be enough to significantly alter L.A.'s trajectory.

This looked like a flawed roster coming into the season, and that's exactly what it has been on the court.

Acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards could be a shrewd long-term gamble, but he's clearly not the answer for the Lakers in the short term. Irving might have been their last chance at a big splash, and now he's plying his trade in Dallas.

If James isn't going to wave the white flag, then the front office might do it for him by failing to get anything across the line prior to Thursday's deadline.