Richard Jefferson on LeBron James' Lakers legacy: 'He hasn't done enough' to be considered one of the best

Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2018-2019 season, star LeBron James has continued to play at an All-Star level. However, the team's success during James' tenure has been up and down. 

In the final year of a two-year, $85.6M contract, James can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. With the 2022-23 season possibly being his last with the Lakers, many wonder what kind of legacy he'd leave behind. 

One of James' former teammates, Richard Jefferson, believes LeBron doesn't stack up among the Lakers' greats. 

"LeBron James has not done enough as a Laker to be on that list," Jefferson said on the Road Trippin' podcast.

"There hasn't been a consistent level of greatness. You can win a championship; that's great, but part of LeBron James being famous for being LeBron James, part of the Lakers' organization is consistent greatness. Not like one year, you're great, one year you're trash." 

After missing the playoffs in James' first season in L.A., the Lakers hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy the following year. They followed up their NBA title with a first-round exit in 2020-21 and failed to qualify for the playoffs last season. 

James will likely test the free agent market after the 2022-23 season, but he and the Lakers have had talks about a possible extension this offseason. 

Earlier this month, the two sides reportedly had "productive" talks regarding an extension. 

The 37-year-old averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks over 56 regular-season games for the Lakers last season.