LeBron James Facetimed Luka Dončić to Congratulate Him on Los Angeles Lakers Extension

LeBron James Facetimed Luka Dončić to congratulate him on his extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers.

“LeBron and son Bronny James were noticeably not in attendance at the news conference, but I’m told that LeBron FaceTimed Luka Dončić on Saturday morning to congratulate him on the new deal,” Stein wrote.

Dončić and LeBron played 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15–8 in those games, with both stars posting stellar numbers.

Dončić averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists alongside LeBron, who averaged 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists next to Dončić.

The Lakers were the third seed in the West last season. However, they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

LeBron 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 LeBron to retire from the NBA with the Lakers, a source told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Dončić, a native of Slovenia, has frequently said LeBron was the player he watched most growing up. The former Dallas Mavericks superstar enjoyed playing alongside LeBron last season and believes the Lakers can contend for a championship next season, the source said.

Following the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets on the first day of free agency, Dončić helped recruit Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Los Angeles, the source said. Austin Reaves also played a role in bringing in Jake LaRavia, the source added.

The Lakers are expected to start Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron and Ayton next season, multiple sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.