Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Luka Dončić Have Been in Touch This Offseason

NBA superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić have spoken this offseason about playing together next season on the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints.

LeBron will not request a trade from the Lakers or ask for a buyout.

“All the drama aside, sources close to the situation did mention fairly early in the summer that LeBron James and Luka Dončić had been in touch about playing together next season and further maximizing that opportunity than they did last year,” Irwin wrote. “What that looks like is going to be fascinating to watch and will likely decide what kind of season the Lakers have.”

Irwin is reporting that LeBron’s issue with the Lakers is over his contract, as he’s entering the final year of his deal for the first time in his iconic NBA career.

LeBron, 40, will make $52.6 million next season. He will become a free agent in 2026 for the first time since 2018, when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Lakers.

“League sources say the crux of the issue between James and the Lakers this summer wasn’t that he wasn’t consulted on moves made, but that the Lakers didn’t have another 1+1 max deal with a no-trade clause waiting for him,” Irwin wrote. “One side will say that the contract was never requested. The other will say it was never offered. But the end result is the same: The Lakers are heading into a LeBron James Contract Year.”

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

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.