During a Jordan Brand tour event on Monday, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić attended the New York Yankees versus Tampa Bay Rays game and discussed his experience playing alongside LeBron James. Dončić, who admired LeBron growing up in Slovenia, described sharing the court with the veteran basketball legend as “an amazing experience.”
He expressed deep respect for LeBron’s professionalism and approach to the game, highlighting how warmly he was welcomed as a teammate last season. Dončić said,
“I always looked up to him, the way he approaches the game, his professionalism. So when I came, he accepted me with open arms and it was just amazing to be his teammate.”
Teaming Up on the Lakers Last Season
Dončić and LeBron played together in 23 games during the last season, helping the Lakers achieve a 15-8 record when both were on the floor. Despite this positive run, the team finished as the third seed in the 2025 Western Conference playoffs but was eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, despite holding home-court advantage.
Contract Updates and Future Lakers Lineup
This weekend, Dončić is set to sign a contract extension with the Lakers, while LeBron has already opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. LeBron will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 for the first time since 2018, likely drawing significant attention around his next career move.
Following rumors suggesting tension between LeBron and Dončić after their playoff exit, Dončić’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, dismissed these claims emphatically. She told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne,
“Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him.”
She added,
“He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”
Projected Lakers Starters and Dončić’s Role in Team Building
Sources revealed that the Lakers are likely to start Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton next season, indicating the team’s commitment to a strong core lineup. Dončić, at 26 years old, has also played a key role in recruiting Ayton and Marcus Smart to join the team, demonstrating his influence within the Lakers organization.
Looking Ahead for the Lakers’ Season
The synergy between LeBron James and Luka Dončić is generating hopeful expectations for the Lakers’ future success, boosted by new contracts and strategic roster moves. With Dončić acknowledging LeBron’s mentorship and the positive team dynamics, the Lakers aim to advance further in the upcoming playoffs and build on their shared experience to enhance teamwork and performance.