Michael Cooper Predicts LeBron James Will Stay With Lakers
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Michael Cooper is known as one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was one of the NBA’s best defenders during his career from 1978 to 1990 and was once described by Boston Celtics great Larry Bird as the best defender he ever faced. The five-time NBA champion was a key pillar of the “Showtime” Lakers of the ’80s, helping lead Los Angeles to five championships.
Cooper, who currently serves as head coach of the BIG3’s Miami 305, which will open the 2026 season June 20 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, still pays close attention to the Lakers.
Cooper Expects James to Return to Los Angeles
The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year said he believes LeBron James will be back in Los Angeles for another year and that the key will be surrounding him with the right role players.
“I believe that the Lakers people just have to make some adjustments around him and have to fill in the gaps,” Cooper said in a one-on-one interview with Ratings. “I think we need our scouts to really do their job and get out there and scout overseas players, scout these young players, college players and the players in the G League, and find that one or two players that can come in and be the utility piece. Whether he’s solid on defense, is a solid jump shooter or has to be a solid team player – both aspects – the Lakers will be back in the mix again.”
James will be a free agent this offseason, and it appears likely that he will return for a 24th season. The question is whether it will be with the Lakers or another NBA team. Cooper ultimately believes the 41-year-old James will return for a ninth season in Los Angeles, but he will not predict how long James will continue playing.
“You know what, with LeBron, I’m not gonna question how long he’s gonna play,” Cooper said. “I’m gonna enjoy him for the moment that he’s here. I know he’s feeling good. He’s a player who takes great care of his body, spends a lot of money on his health and mental health, and so when he comes back this season, I’m just going to enjoy him this year. We’re trying to get some championships so we can tie that dreaded Boston Celtics franchise at 18. That’s how I look at LeBron, and I just hope that he can stay healthy and help us get to where we can win another championship.”
Cooper said he does not run into James often, but when he does, they are “very cordial.” He described their relationship as “great.”
“We don’t run into each other a lot, but when we see each other, [we’re] very cordial. Our sons played together,” Cooper said. “Bronny [James] played at Crossroads, and my son played against him, so we’ve been in the same room several times. But my relationship with LeBron is great.”
Lakers Need More From Their Supporting Cast
Cooper, who was a key role player alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers, again emphasized that Los Angeles will need its supporting players to step up alongside James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference.
“We have LeBron, Luka and Reaves,” Cooper said. “We got three players, and on any given night, two of those three can get you 30 to 35 [points]. That’s a lot of points. That’s what I’m saying. The other role players who start to come in have to fill in the gaps a little bit, as far as some defensive intensity, being able to guard SGA [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander], being able to guard [Stephon] Castle or [Devin] Vassell, some of those players like that. [Victor] Wembanyama presents his own problem, not just to the Lakers but to every team. But we’ll make that adjustment with him. We’re not far from it.”
“All we need is a couple of players, and then our coaches are gonna have to develop Bronny, Dalton Knecht, those guys coming off the bench, Jarred Vanderbilt,” Cooper continued. “They have to really solidify their roles on the team and what they’re going to accomplish out on the court. If we do that, I think we’ll be OK.”
The Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. In James’ eight seasons in Los Angeles, they have advanced to at least the conference finals in only two of those years. If the Lakers are going to compete with the Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, they will need more than their three stars to step up.
“I think with a healthy Luka, healthy Reaves and healthy LeBron, those are marquee players,” Cooper said. “Those are the players who can only do one of two things: They can either get you to the mountaintop or they’ll get you over the mountaintop. That’s why those role players – and again, going back to our days – were so important. We had myself, we had Mike McGee, Bob McAdoo, Mychal Thompson. We had a really solid [group], and you mentioned the bubble team. They had a solid cast of players who could come off the bench, and if we’re struggling to get there, they can help you get there. If we’re struggling to get over the top, those other three can get us over the top.
“But it’s going to take those role players coming in and doing their jobs consistently, night after night, for the Lakers to get back to the top and to be able to overcome OKC, the Spurs and the Denver Nuggets,” Cooper continued. “I believe the Clippers will be in it next year, so if we do that, we’re gonna be OK.”
Cooper Eager to See Lakers’ Offseason Moves
When asked which specific role players the Lakers should target, Cooper said he was not sure but was “anxious” to see the moves the team will make over the next month.
“No, I’m not that well-versed in it,” Cooper said. “I haven’t kept up that much, but again, that’s the scouts’ job. That’s the coaches’ job with the Lakers over there. They gotta do that. Rob Pelinka, they gotta get out there, and I’m pretty sure they’re doing all of that, for sure. I’m anxious to see the moves that they’re going to make in the upcoming month.”