Former LeBron James Teammate Reveals Why He Wanted Lakers To Win Title

The Los Angeles Lakers were projected to compete for the championship this season after acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February. However, the team lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in five games. 

LeBron James hasn't won a title since 2020. The leading scorer in NBA history said after the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves that this season was a disappointment since he didn't reach the Finals. 

"For me, since my first NBA Finals appearance in 2007, the moment I got an opportunity to be a part of that and taste that feeling, from there on, every season that I did not make it to the Finals or did not win the championship has been a disappointment," James said. "So ... it will be an offseason of disappointment and fulfillment."

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James

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James wasn't the only person who was disappointed the Lakers didn't win it all this year. One of his former teammates was sad as well. 

Christian Wood tweeted that he wanted Los Angeles to win the championship this year so he could get a ring. The big man was on the Lakers until February 11. He was waived. 

Players who are on a team that wins the championship can receive a ring even if they don't finish the season on the roster. 

Wood missed the entire 2024-25 season with a knee injury. He appeared in 50 games with the Lakers last season, averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. 

It will be fascinating to see if a team signs Wood this offseason. 

As for James, the future Hall of Famer will have to wait another year to capture his fifth championship.