Rumor: Luka Dončić Wants LeBron James To Finish Career With Lakers

Luka Dončić wants to see LeBron James finish his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from DallasHoopsJournal.com.

James is set to make $52.6 million in the final year of his contract next season. If he retires after the 2025-26 campaign, that would line up with what Dončić is hoping for. But if James decides to keep going into 2026-27, Dončić wants the league’s all-time leading scorer to stick with the Lakers.

The Slovenian star has never hidden his admiration for James, calling him the player he watched most growing up. After getting a chance to suit up alongside James last season, Dončić was reportedly all in. He has said he believes the Lakers still have enough in the tank to chase a title next season.

The duo played 23 games together last year. The Lakers went 15-8 in that stretch, with both stars putting up strong numbers. Dončić averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists. James contributed 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in those same outings.

Los Angeles entered the 2025 playoffs as the third seed in the West but was knocked out by the Timberwolves in five games. Despite home-court advantage, the Lakers never found their rhythm in the series.

Dončić stayed busy in the offseason. Following the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to Houston, he helped recruit Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to LA. Austin Reaves also played a role in luring Jake LaRavia to the roster.

Dončić, 26, is expected to sign a contract extension with the Lakers this weekend. His career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists put him third all-time in scoring average behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

James, meanwhile, continues to defy age. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors last season and finished sixth in MVP voting.

There had been whispers that Dončić and James didn’t mesh well on the court, but Dončić’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, quickly shut that down.

“Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him,” Seager told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”

According to the report, the Lakers are expected to start Luka Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton next season.

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