D-Wade suggests G.O.A.T. debate will be ‘very unfair’ for LeBron as long as he’s still active

What makes Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James different from the lion’s share of players frequently brought up in the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) debate — including Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan — is that James is still active in the NBA.

Now, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, who played with James in the NBA, is wondering whether James is perceived differently in the G.O.A.T. debate because he is still going strong in the league. Wade pointed out that James hasn’t been away from the game to give folks time to reflect on his body of work and all of his accomplishments.

“I have a question: Do you think we’re too close to LeBron’s situation?” Wade asked. “Do you think we haven’t got a chance to take our step back and really look at the body?”

He continued.

“It’s hard to have this G.O.A.T. conversation with guys while we watching a guy who’s still playing, right, because he’s going against a G.O.A.T.,” Wade said. “He’s going against a guy (Jordan) that we got a chance — yeah, we watched him growing up, but we really been able to digest the body of work that he’s really done and the way he’s done it.

“We haven’t been able to digest LeBron’s body of work yet. So, I think it’s an unfair argument for LeBron right now in the real time, but doesn’t mean we not gonna have it. I’m just saying I think it’s very unfair for him.”

James still has chances to add to his case as the greatest basketball player of all time before his NBA career is over, and maybe no achievement next season would help his case more than another title in 2026. The forward has just four rings compared to Jordan’s six.

The 40-year-old has a co-star and proven playoff performer who could help him reach the NBA’s mountaintop again before he calls it quits on his pro career. Not long ago, star guard Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, and now, he’ll look to help the Lakers go on some deep runs of their own moving forward.

The Lakers still have work to do around the margins this summer, though, if they want to be in a prime position to compete for the 2026 NBA title. At the top of Los Angeles’ offseason agenda should be to acquire a starting center, whether that be through a trade or free agency.

James may also strengthen his G.O.A.T case by simply suiting up in the 2025-26 season, as he will become the first player to play 23 seasons in the NBA once he takes the floor next season.

That will give him some history to look forward to no matter what, but hopefully James can help bring the Lakers another championship in 2026. The franchise is still chasing its 18th title.