LeBron James celebrated his 40th birthday alongside major changes for the Los Angeles Lakers, with the team acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. While these moves highlight the Lakers’ ambition for a deep playoff push, James remains measured in his expectations about their championship chances.

After a Lakers practice session, James shared his candid thoughts on the revamped roster. “Are we at a championship level? Can we win a championship right now? No, I don’t think so,” he said. “But that’s good because we have a lot more room to improve. We just added two new guys… It’s going to be fun.”

James acknowledged the positive steps taken by the front office but suggested further tweaks might be necessary to elevate the Lakers under new head coach JJ Redick.

At 18-13, the Lakers have shown promise, thanks to defensive upgrades and James’ leadership. The recent trades highlight the team’s focus on maximizing James’ remaining years while he remains committed to building towards another title—possibly alongside his son, Bronny James, drafted this season.

As James reflected on his career longevity, he admitted he could play another five to seven years but emphasized cherishing his remaining time in the NBA. For now, he remains the cornerstone of a Lakers team eager to make a statement in the postseason.