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LeBron James’ Former Teammate Does Not See Lakers As A Top-6 Team In The West
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- LeBron James’ Former Teammate Does Not See Lakers As A Top-6 Team In The West
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Channing Frye once again expressed doubt about the Los Angeles Lakers , this time leaving them outside the projected top six in the Western Conference for the 2026-27 season.
During the Road Trippin' podcast , Frye revealed his Western Conference rankings, and he had the Lakers all the way down at number eight.
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Channing Frye 's Western Conference Rankings
6. Utah Jazz
7. Phoenix Suns
And that immediately caught the attention of Kendrick Perkins .
"Why in the hell do you have the Lakers so low, bro? Like, the Lakers are top six. Like, what?"
Frye didn't hesitate.
"I don't think so. Personally."
This prediction continues a pattern for Frye, who has been one of the biggest critics of the Lakers' new-look roster after LeBron James departed.
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The Lakers still have Luka Doncic and an offensive foundation, with the front office adding Walker Kessler , Collin Sexton , Quentin Grimes , Sandro Mamukelashvili , Ziaire Williams , Matisse Thybulle , Kevon Looney , and other rotation pieces during the offseason.
Even so, Frye has repeatedly questioned whether this roster fits properly around Doncic. Earlier this month, Frye said he did not believe the Lakers were built to make a deep playoff run .
"Make a playoff run? No, they can make the playoffs. I don't like the way that the team is built at all. They're going to lose to a team like Denver, Minnesota, OKC, Houston; I even got Phoenix right there. Utah. I mean, do I even have to say San Antonio?"
His latest rankings seem to be consistent with these comments.
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Frye has mocked the Lakers' lack of athleticism and defense around Doncic . He previously compared the current roster to the Dallas Mavericks team that reached the 2024 NBA Finals and argued that the Lakers have not recreated the same formula and are nowhere close.
"He needs to be surrounded by defensive athletes, guys that can get out and play, make their own plays. This team feels very ploppy, and very half-court sets team."
That concern is very important because Doncic and Austin Reaves could form one of the league's most productive offensive backcourts, but neither of them is known for their perimeter defense. Kessler should provide protection at the rim, and Grimes could help as a point-of-attack defender, but Frye does not think that this will be enough against the many teams in the West.
He is far from the only one questioning the Lakers. ESPN recently projected the Lakers as the most disappointing team in the NBA next season , with the Lakers receiving 32 points in a panel vote. ESPN also projected them to win only 45 games after winning 53 games last season.
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The Lakers therefore enter the season in a very unusual position. They still have one of the top five players in the league in Luka Doncic and have enough offensive firepower to be a very dangerous team.
But there are still major doubts about their defense, athleticism, and overall roster balance.
Perkins believes this combination is enough for a top-six finish, but Frye clearly does not think so. And after repeatedly questioning the Lakers throughout this offseason, placing them eighth makes his stance even clearer.
He sees the Lakers as a playoff contender, but not one of the elite teams in the West.
