LeBron James’ Lakers are not the biggest threat to OKC in the West, claims former NBA champion

The Oklahoma City Thunder have undeniably been the best team in the NBA during the 2024-25 regular season. However, the playoffs can be a different story, and one former NBA champion stated that the biggest threat to OKC will not come from the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James, but rather another team from the Western Conference.

During a conversation on ESPN, Kendrick Perkins stated that despite the Thunder leading the standings with an impressive 64-12 record, they need to be cautious of “a team in LA, and it’s not the Lakers. It’s the Los Angeles Clippers.”

The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics then elaborated on his opinion. “This is a team that has one of the best coaches in the game in Tyronn Lue,” he said, before highlighting some of the team’s key stars. “This is a team that has James Harden, who has been balling all season long, made the All-Star team.”

Perkins continued: “Now, they have Kawhi Leonard joining, who’s looking healthy again. Looking like the Kawhi of old. And then you throw in a sprinkle of the big fella in the middle, (Ivica) Zubac, who’s averaging a monster double-double right now.”

In addition to stars like Harden and Leonard, Perkins pointed out other key contributors. “You have veterans around them. Nicolas Batum, a guy who’s gonna be a star in his role. Norman Powell, he should have been an All-Star this year. Derrick Jones Jr., think about it. He went to the Finals last year on the Dallas Mavericks,” Kendrick said.

Could the Clippers be title contenders?

After outlining the strengths of the Los Angeles Clippers, particularly based on the talent of several players and the experience of their coach, Kendrick Perkins expressed high expectations for what they can achieve. “Watch out for the Clippers,” he said. “I actually have them as my sleeper in the Western Conference.”

Perkins may have a point. While the Clippers as a franchise are not traditionally among the strongest in the league, they have assembled a roster that combines enough talent and experience to make a deep run.

Kawhi Leonard, a two-time champion and Finals MVP, could make the difference if he stays healthy. And James Harden, despite being 35 years old, remains an elite player and one of the biggest icons of the NBA in this century. Furthermore, his hunger for glory is alive, as he continues to search for his first championship.

However, the first step for the Clippers is to secure their spot in the playoffs. Currently, they sit in the seventh spot, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. With six games remaining in the regular season, they will need to do everything they can to reach the sixth seed, avoid the play-in tournament, and secure a few extra days of rest, which could be crucial in the playoffs.