Hall of Famer Charles Barkley gave his take on the question of whose team is the LA Lakers in the 2024–25 NBA season. Adding JJ Redick as the head coach was one of the team’s biggest moves over the summer. He got the job even though he hasn’t proven anything yet in the league as a coach.

The Lakers are still looking to contend for the title this season, with LeBron James leading the way. Since joining the organization, James’ influence within the Purple & Gold team has been clear, as evidenced by the team picking his podcast partner Redick as their coach and drafting his son Bronny James.

While discussing the Redick-LeBron dynamic on TNT on Tuesday, Barkley claimed that the Lakers are James’ team, regardless of Redick’s position as the head coach.

“It’s LeBron’s team,” Charles Barkley said. “JJ and LeBron, they had the podcast. There’s nobody on that team that’s going to disrespect JJ because LeBron will head his a** on the next flight out of town.

“I don’t know what kind of coach JJ is gonna be. He was a good player but it’s LeBron’s team.”

With James as the main star of the Lakers and Redick perceived as his pick to coach the team, the expectations are high for both of them.

Fans will see the two in action for the first time together this season on Tuesday. The Lakers open their season against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypto.com Arena.

Also read: “The one guy that drives me crazy” – Charles Barkley discusses Cavaliers center whose untapped potential “disappoints” him every year

The debut of LeBron James’ son Bronny James is one of the highly anticipated events in the new NBA season. It’ll be the first time the son of an active player in the league will grace the hardwood, making it a historic moment. There’s an expectation that the Lakers will play the young guard with his father tonight against the Wolves.

While tonight could be the debut game of the younger James, Charles Barkey believes he should play in the G-League this year.

“Bronny’s a prospect,” Chuck said. “Number one, I’m glad he’s healthy. I think he should be in the G-League, he’s not ready to play in the NBA right now. He should be in the G-League… Secondly, there’s gonna be some guys coming for his head and he’s not ready… I think to take the pressure off him and let him get better as a player, he should be in the G-League.”

Bronny James, the 55th pick in the draft, has previously said he would have ‘no problem’ sitting back and learning for the first couple of years of his career.