LeBron James has spent two decades measuring greatness, but when it comes to Luka Doncic, the 41-year-old Lakers star is still in awe.
“I just love the way he approaches the game,” James said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “I love the way he plays the game. More importantly, man, he’s just a great f—ing guy. Big-time savant of the game. I always use IQ as a measuring point in basketball—guys who can think the game. There are so many guys in our league who can play the game, but to be able to think the game as well puts you at another level.”
LeBron added, “You can tell he learned the game the right way.”
The Lakers pulled off a blockbuster deal last season, landing Doncic from Dallas and pairing him with his childhood idol.
In the 23 games they shared the floor, Los Angeles went 15–8, flashing the kind of chemistry that has the franchise dreaming of another title run.
Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks alongside James. LeBron countered with 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks during that same stretch.
James has already locked in for one more year, exercising his 2025-26 player option worth $52.6 million.
After that, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018.
Doncic, meanwhile, has made it clear he hopes the all-time scoring leader finishes his career in purple and gold.
Doncic “wants James to retire from the NBA with the Lakers” and believes the duo can contend right now, according to DallasHoopsJournal.
For two of the league’s biggest stars, the respect is clearly mutual, and the championship chase is officially on in Los Angeles.
READ MORE: Paul George Believes Luka Doncic Could Become Greatest International Ever
