NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest take on the LeBron James–Luka Doncic duo is raising eyebrows. While many see the Lakers’ acquisition of Doncic as a franchise-altering move, Barkley isn’t convinced it will work smoothly.
On GameTime on NBA TV, Barkley bluntly stated:
“This thing is not going to be smooth in LA with him and LeBron because both of them want the ball 100% of the time. Luka does not move without the ball. LeBron does not move without the ball.”
“There’s gonna be some serious growing pains when those two try to play together. Now, they’re both great players, don’t get me wrong, but LeBron wants the ball, and Luka definitely wants the ball. So it’s going to be very interesting how that works out.”
Barkley brings up a legitimate concern—both LeBron and Doncic are ball-dominant players who excel as primary facilitators. LeBron has been running offenses for over two decades, dictating the pace of play and controlling possessions. Meanwhile, Doncic, one of the most heliocentric players in NBA history, thrives when the ball is in his hands, orchestrating the offense through pick-and-rolls and isolation plays.
Historically, pairing two high-usage playmakers can be a tricky experiment. The closest example in recent memory was LeBron’s partnership with Russell Westbrook, which failed because of similar ball-handling redundancies. However, Donic is a far superior shooter and playmaker compared to Westbrook, making this situation slightly different.
That said, Barkley still expects major growing pains as both superstars adjust to a new dynamic.
Barkley also believes this trade marks a shift in how the Lakers operate, signaling the end of LeBron James having full control over roster decisions.
“I do think this kinda sets the end to like the LeBron James making all the decisions. They’re like, ‘Hey, we love you LeBron, but we’re gonna start doing what’s best for the Lakers.’ That’s what I got out of this trade from a Lakers standpoint.”
“Cuz I don’t know if they didn’t come tell LeBron because number one, Klutch Sports is Anthony’s agent, but it seems like to me they’re like ‘Hey, you know what, LeBron’s on his last legs, let’s start getting us a star for the future.’”
For years, critics have accused LeBron of acting as a de facto general manager—earning him the nickname “LeGM.” But this move completely blindsided him, proving that the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is now prioritizing long-term success over LeBron’s short-term window.
Despite Barkley’s skepticism, this duo has potential—but only if they are willing to sacrifice and adjust their games. LeBron has successfully coexisted with other dominant ball handlers like Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and Rajon Rondo, proving he can thrive in different systems. However, Luka has never played alongside someone of LeBron’s stature, making his ability to adapt the true X-factor.
Whether or not Barkley’s concerns come to fruition, one thing is certain—all eyes will be on the Lakers to see if this blockbuster pairing can truly deliver a championship.
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