'He Knows What to Do to Win:' Luka Dončić Explains Why He Wants LeBron James Next to Him on Los Angeles Lakers

NBA superstar Luka Dončić explained why he wants LeBron James next to him on the Los Angeles Lakers during an interview with Darren M. Haynes of Sports Central LA.

“Of course. I mean, he’s one of the best basketball players ever,” Dončić said about James. “So just for having him there, it’s gonna help all of us, not just me, but every player, all the staff, it’s gonna help us win ’cause he knows what to do to win.”

Dončić and James “have maintained communication dating back to the onset of the summer,” according to NBA insider Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. James facetimed Dončić on August 2 to congratulate him on his extension with the Lakers, who were the third seed in the Western Conference last season but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

“Speaking of LeBron James, sources close to the team reiterated recently that he and Luka Dončić have maintained communication dating back to the onset of the summer with the focus being how they can make each other better,” Irwin wrote. “Rampant speculation about James’ future aside, both superstars are looking forward to playing together again next season.”

Dončić and James, two of the top players in the NBA, played 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15–8 in those games.

Dončić averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks alongside James, who averaged 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks next to Dončić in 2024-25.

James, 40, picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers. He will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. The leading scorer in NBA history will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.

Dončić wants James to retire from the NBA with the Lakers, a source told DallasHoopsJournal. Dončić has frequently said James was the player he watched most growing up. The former Dallas Mavericks star enjoyed playing alongside James last season and believes the Lakers can contend for the championship in 2025-26.