That is the surprising claim of Fox Sports’ NBA analyst Rob Parker.
James recently returned from a groin strain suffered on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors.
He missed 17 games – the longest stretch of games missed in his career – as the Lakers collapsed, losing 11 times and winning six.
Since his return, things haven’t been perfect, as they have suffered defeat against the Golden State Warriors – a game which James sat out due to load management – as well to the Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Their win over the Boston Celtics saw their highlight of the season, however, as Rajon Rondo scored a buzzer-beater to give the Lakers a 129-128 win at TD Garden.
But Parker is not convinced that Los Angeles have what it takes to get through to the playoffs.
Currently, the Lakers sit two-and-a-half games back from the eighth-placed LA Clippers.
They will want to get through to seventh place and overtake the San Antonio Spurs, as if they finish eighth they will likely face the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
Speaking on Fox Sports on Monday, Parker explained why he believed the Lakers would miss out.
“If I’m LeBron, I’m concerned,” he said.
“They know this team isn’t good enough.
“That’s why they panicked and tried to get AD [Anthony Davis], because they know it.
“It’s easy to sit here and pick LeBron James to make the playoffs; half of the league makes the playoffs.
“But looking at it a bit closer, I don’t trust this team that he has, I don’t trust these guys.
“Because when LeBron was out, they went 6-12, they lost to the Knicks, they lost at home to the Cavaliers.
“And since LeBron got back, things haven’t been fixed, because they all got hurt that they were going to be dealt for AD, I’m telling you the Lakers are in trouble.
“I’m telling you I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs.
“I don’t trust the guys that he’s with.”