Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

It feels like just yesterday that LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were celebrating their in-season tournament title in cringe fashion. Since then, however, things have gone off the rails.

The Lakers took a 13-point lead over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night but couldn’t hold on, faltering late en route to a 127-113 loss. It was their fourth straight defeat, their 10th loss in the last 13 games and dropped their regular season record to 17-19.

“I mean, we just suck right now,” James said after the game, via ESPN.

The Lakers are playing so poorly that James believes there are college athletes who could step in and see minutes right now. Perhaps more specifically, James believes his son, Bronny James, could show up and hit the court on Day 1.

“He could play for us right now. Easy,” James said, via Claire De Lune. “Easy.”

That could be interpreted as praise of Bronny or a slight of the Lakers. Or both.

Bronny, a freshman at USC, suffered a cardiac episode over the summer that threatened to derail his athletic career. However, he’s made a miraculous recovery and debuted for the Trojans in December.

In six games (no starts) so far this season, Bronny has shot 50 percent from the field, averaging 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Those aren’t exactly dominant numbers so if LeBron thinks Bronny could play for the Lakers right now, it not exactly a ringing endorsement even if it was well-intentioned.