Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Deandre Ayton Got Text From Luka Doncic After Signing With Los Angeles Lakers, Hasn’t Heard From LeBron James

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 6:18 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have two of the top three picks from the 2018 NBA Draft after signing Deandre Ayton, who was the first pick in 2018. Luka Doncic , acquired by the Lakers last season from the Dallas Mavericks, was the third pick in 2018. Los Angeles now has a “Big 3” of Doncic, Ayton and LeBron James.

Ayton and Doncic have the same agent (Bill Duffy), so they have a rapport with each other. Ayton told ESPN LA that he got a text message from Doncic after signing with the Lakers.

However, Ayton has not heard from James, the leading scorer in NBA history.

Deandre Ayton has not spoken to LeBron James or Luka Doncic since signing with the Lakers

“Not really yet, but I definitely got a text from Luka.” pic.twitter.com/H3D5w8Jxfw
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 9, 2025

James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

However, not only has Los Angeles not announced that James picked up his player option for next season, but the franchise’s relationship with LeBron is also reportedly not in a good place.

“I wanna be careful with what I say about like Bron’s relationship with the front office or the organization, but I don’t think it’s in like the best place right now to be completely honest,” Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said. “There’s been no official statement about LeBron opting in. There typically is, especially for a player of that magnitude.

“And then he’s had his stuff on social media or whatever he’s posted and there was obviously the statement when he opted in. So I don’t think things are in the best place they’ve ever been. I’ll just say that.”

James has a no-trade clause in his contract, so if he requests a trade, the Lakers have to trade the NBA legend.

Ayton, who turns 27 on July 23, averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks for the Portland Trail Blazers last season while shooting 56.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line. He began his career with the Phoenix Suns.

An Arizona product, Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 398 games with the Suns and Trail Blazers. The center helped Phoenix make the NBA Finals in 2021.