That’s the damning verdict of Fox Sports analyst Jason Whitlock, who claims the Lakers have acquired James at the wrong end of his career.
The three-time NBA champion will make his competitive debut for the Lakers this evening in a Western Conference clash against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Having made the NBA Finals for eight straight years, James enters the new campaign in unknown territory with the Lakers not under that same pressure.
That will likely come in his second season at the Staples Center when they try to bring in another All-Star in the 2019 free agency market.
However, Whitlock believes the Lakers’ new roster will fail this season and that they will struggle to recruit a big name next summer.
“Magic Johnson, president of the Lakers, has instructed Luke Walton to stomp on the product,” Whitlock said on Speak For Yourself.
“The product is LeBron James. He’s been the NBA’s WMD – weapon of mass destruction – for 15 years.
“He’ll be 34 in December. The Lakers acquired James at the end of his historic career [and] surrounded him with a band of misfits.
“It’s a recipe for disaster. The Lakers who open the night in Portland are heading for disaster this season.
“Luke Walton said yesterday that LeBron James will be playing reduced minutes this year.
“Well, Walton actually said LeBron James, who led the league in minutes last season, will be playing reasonable minutes.
“They just announced that they’re goal for this season is to make sure LeBron is fresh for next season.
“Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Lonzo Ball and everyone else on the Lakers roster are just props t be used to make sure Hollywood James doesn’t get worn out while making movies, talk shows, tussling with Donald Trump, mediating rap beef and all the other brand-building responsibilities that he has.
“This season is going to be an epic failure. The main thing isn’t the main thing and that’s never a good thing.
“It’s going to diminish James’ standing among his peers who still prioritise basketball over everything.
“This season is going to make it more difficult for James and Magic to recruit another star to playing alongside James next season.”