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Los Angeles Lakers Legend Gets 100% Honest About Biggest Threat in Timberwolves Series 1 Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates with forward LeBron James (center) and Austin Reaves (right) after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

'There Are Guys That Don’t Like Playing With Luka' – NBA Insider Claims a Rift With the Los Angeles Lakers’ Stars

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 9:37 AM ET

Sharing the court with a player like Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is something that most players dream of. Firstly, he’s an elite scoring threat who can score in almost every area of the floor. Doncic also gets others involved with his outstanding wizardry through his passing ability. He averages almost double digits in assists, which is an area of the game where he excels.

Doncic isn’t perfect, though. His defense isn’t the best, and opposing players can often target him on that end, exposing his weakness. However, that hasn’t stopped other stars from wanting to share the basketball court with him.

When he arrived at the Lakers, there were discussions about Doncic getting a chance to be teammates with LeBron James. One of the greatest players to ever set foot on the court is the four-time champion. Even at 40 years of age, James is still considered a superstar in the NBA.

On Tuesday, NBA insider John Gambadoro claimed that Doncic isn’t someone that the Los Angeles Lakers stars enjoy playing with. On his show, “Burns & Gambo,” the insider claimed that James and Austin Reaves do not like playing with the Slovenian star.

“LeBron does not like playing with Luka [Doncic], Reaves does not like playing with Luka,” Gambadoro said. “Reaves does not like getting the ball with two seconds left on the shot clock. LeBron is not fond of playing with Luka.

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“The Lakers are going to turn their attention to build around Luka, not LeBron. This is Luka’s team now. I would not be shocked if — he’ll probably come back but I wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed no-brainer LeBron comes back to the Lakers. Because there are guys that don’t like playing with Luka.”

However, there are no supporting facts regarding Gambadoro’s claims about the dynamic of the Lakers’ Big 3.

Nick Wright defends Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic from the critics

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James Drops 1 Truth Bomb on Luka Doncic's Future With the Team 2 Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers star has always been a subject of criticism. Whether it’s about winning the MVP, the championship or his physical conditioning, Doncic has always been under scrutiny. On Monday, Nick Wright defended Doncic and said that the superstar guard isn’t behind schedule when it comes to winning.

“The idea that he is behind schedule or off schedule is incorrect,” Wright continued. “Right now, Shai’s star could not be shining brighter. I get that, and he deserves it. However, we can’t compare Luka’s and Shai’s career numbers because Luka was good instantly, and Shai grew into it.”

Wright believes Doncic has enough time to leave a mark in the NBA and accomplish a lot of things. Now that the Los Angeles Lakers are focused on building around him, it could be the beginning of his MVP season.

“There Are Guys That Don’t Like Playing With Luka” - NBA Insider Claims a Rift With the Los Angeles Lakers’ Stars 6 Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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