Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is having-surprise, surprise-another strong campaign this season.

He is coming off back-to-back triple-doubles to lead the Lakers to back-to-back wins against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors.

The Lakers improved to 6-4 and will next face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

At 39 years old, James remains one of the most dependable players in the league. While he hasn’t won as MVP since 2013, he’s been in the conversation every season.

On NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” co-host Adam Lefkoe said online gambling site Draft Kings offered a bet on who would win as MVP this season among the five studs featured on Netflix’s “Starting Five” documentary series: James, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis.

Lefkoe picked Tatum, with the Celtics having a phenomenal start this season and the five-time All-Star forward averaging close to 30 points per game.

While O’Neal agreed with the choice, he also floated a different possibility involving the NBA and James.

“I’d say Tatum, or if the Lakers are doing well, 1, 2, 3 or 4 spots (in the Western Conference), they may try to give it to LeBron for his farewell tour,” said the Hall of Fame center, who won as MVP in 2000.

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Sign up at https://t.co/F4hGpNAg6P#DKpartnerpic.twitter.com/0wAf78Ilbf — The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) November 12, 2024 James is currently averaging 23.2 points-his lowest since his rookie year-a career-high 44.4% shooting from long distance, 7.7 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.

While the four-time MVP has been key, it’s his running mate, Anthony Davis, who’s been putting up MVP-type numbers for the Lakers with career-highs of 31. 2 points and 57.7% shooting on top of 10.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks.

The Lakers haven’t been in the top four of the Western Conference since the 2019-20 season.