In a candid assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers’ current roster and their 2024-25 season outlook, NBA legend Magic Johnson has expressed doubts about any of the team’s players being in the MVP conversation this year. Despite the Lakers boasting a star-studded lineup, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Magic’s comments have raised eyebrows across the league and sparked discussions about the team’s potential.
Speaking in a recent interview, Johnson—who led the Lakers to five NBA championships as both a player and an executive—was asked about the current state of the team and their chances of competing for the league’s highest individual honor: the MVP award. His response was direct and pointed.
“There’s no player on this roster right now who is playing at an MVP-caliber level,” Johnson said. “LeBron is still incredible, but he’s no longer in the conversation for the award. Anthony Davis has had flashes of brilliance, but he hasn’t been consistent enough to put himself in the mix. The Lakers have talent, but MVP performances are about more than just talent—they’re about domination, and the Lakers don’t have that at this moment.”
Magic’s comments come at a time when both LeBron and Davis have been performing at high levels but have yet to show the sustained dominance needed to elevate them to MVP contention. LeBron, at 39 years old, remains one of the league’s most versatile and impactful players, but his age and the increasing focus on load management have kept him from delivering the kind of all-out performances that are typically expected from MVP candidates. The Lakers have been managing LeBron’s minutes carefully to ensure he remains fresh for the playoffs, which may limit his chances of securing another MVP.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, who has been the focal point of the Lakers’ defense and a key player in their frontcourt, has continued to showcase elite skills as both a scorer and a shot-blocker. However, inconsistency has been a theme in Davis’ career, and his inability to put together a sustained run of dominant performances has kept him from fully entering the MVP conversation.
In addition to LeBron and Davis, the Lakers have bolstered their roster with several new acquisitions over the summer, including sharpshooters and role players to complement their superstar duo. Yet, while these players have contributed to the Lakers’ overall depth, none have yet emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate.
Magic Johnson’s critique also speaks to a larger issue facing the Lakers: team chemistry and leadership. While the team has the talent to make a deep playoff run, Johnson suggests that the team’s current roster lacks the type of consistent individual performances that can elevate a player into the MVP race. In other words, a team-oriented approach may ultimately hurt the Lakers in their pursuit of individual accolades like MVP.
Looking beyond individual accolades, Johnson did praise the Lakers’ collective potential to contend for championships. “They are a dangerous team, especially with LeBron and AD leading the way,” he acknowledged. “But right now, they’re not playing at an MVP level. If they can get on a roll, anything can happen in the playoffs. But the MVP race? I don’t see it.”
As the Lakers continue their season, it remains to be seen whether LeBron or Davis—or perhaps even someone else—can elevate their game to an MVP-caliber level. However, Magic Johnson’s blunt assessment serves as a reminder that, in the NBA, greatness isn’t just about potential—it’s about consistency and the ability to dominate over the course of the season. For now, that’s something the Lakers have yet to prove.
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