Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Greg St. Jean Excited to See LeBron James, Luka Dončić ‘Spend More Time Together’

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean is excited to see NBA stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić “spend more time together” next season.

Dončić and James played 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15–8.

“The idea of Luka having an opportunity to play in training camp with us is going to be critical, and getting this team to build their chemistry and work together. This season, we’re poised and excited to have a training camp together,” St. Jean told BasketNews. “LeBron and Luka being able to spend more time together, we think, will be really positive for both of them and obviously our team.”

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

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

Following the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets on the first day of free agency, Dončić recruited Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Los Angeles. Austin Reaves also recruited Jake LaRavia.

The Lakers are expected to start Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton next season. Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million extension with Los Angeles on August 2.