Kobe Bryant Named LA Lakers Legend Who Deserves Statue and It Isn't LeBron James

Kobe Bryant once named an LA Lakers legend that deserves a statue outside of the Staples Centre, and it remarkably wasn’t LeBron James.

James is an absolute legend in the NBA and holds the record for the most points scored in basketball history.

It’s only a matter of time before he has a statue of his own erected in LA in his honour, considering the number of accolades he has to his name.

He’s widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having won four NBA Championships and has been named NBA Finals MVP four times to go with countless other awards.

The 41-year-old has also won the gold medal three times for Team USA at the Olympics, doing so as part of the ‘Redeem Team’ in 2008, in London in 2012 and again in Paris last year.

However, if it’s one player – current or former – who deserves another statue outside of the Staples Centre, it isn’t LeBron, but rather Lakers hero Magic Johnson, at least that was the opinion of Kobe back in 2018.

'Give Magic another statue!'

Johnson already has a statue of the 66-year-old dribbling from his playing days, and Kobe believes a second should go up.

That’s because Magic was influential in luring James away from the Cavaliers in 2018 with a four-year, €154 million max contract.

During an appearance on the Stephen A. Smith show, Kobe, via Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation, said: “Think about this for a second. Magic was always my favourite player growing up.

“He wins five championships with the Lakers, right? And then he becomes an owner and wins five more. Then he steps away, comes back when he’s president of basketball operations and is influential in bringing LeBron James to L.A.

“I mean, they might have to get this dude another statue. What Magic is pulling off, man, it’s absolutely incredible.”

Magic Johnson's statue in LA. (Image: Getty)

The idea, then, would have been to have a second statue of Magic next to his current one but the newer version of the iconic Lakers star sporting a suit rather than a Lakers jersey.

The Lakers are currently in the midst of their pre-season preparations as they gear up for their 2025/26 campaign.

The LA franchise kick off their season against the Golden State Warriors next month, a side that James has been linked with.

LeBron’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he’s been linked with a Warriors trade, which would see the US gold medallist play alongside another NBA hero in Steph Curry.

However, James has also hinted that he may retire at the end of 2025/26 to focus on other business ventures.