The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to ride arguably one of the most talented one-two combos in NBA history with LeBron James and Luka Doncic to an NBA Championship before LeBron decides to hang it up. After acquiring Doncic in a blockbuster midseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers had to speed up getting an upset and injured Doncic to accept his new destination and play at his best.
LeBron played a crucial role in this, delivering an inspiring message to Doncic early in his Lakers tenure by telling him to fit out instead of in. James addressed that statement and Doncic’s trade during his appearance on the ‘Pat McAfee Show.’
“His name is Luka Magic for a reason. You see that, you see his play on the game, he’s a very transcendent player. You talk about that moment, that moment. I can’t put myself in his shoes because I’ve never been traded before.”
“But I can have a sense and be a human being to know that you commit to a franchise for seven years and you feel like ‘This is the place where I’m going to be.’ This is my comfort. And then out of nowhere, bam, you just get traded. I don’t give a damn where you’re going, that’s a shock to your system.”
“Even though he was ready to play, in that moment, I felt like that had to be said because he’s still that guy. In order for us to reach our potential, he has to be that guy. He has to fit out. We’ll figure it out. Let us figure it out with you because we need you to be who you are.”
LeBron on PatMcAfee on Luka:
“His name is Luka Magic for a reason […] He’s a very transcendent player.”
On the trade: “You commit to a franchise for 7 years […] and then bam! You got traded […] That’s a shock to your system.” pic.twitter.com/DU2Ovef628
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) March 26, 2025
That’s one of the best endorsements an NBA player could receive for their talents. When LeBron James is telling you to be yourself so he can adjust to playing around you, that means you are truly one of the best players in the NBA.
We’ve known this about Doncic, who averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists last season and carried the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
The decision to trade him wasn’t because he was bad on the court but due to immaturity off it, with the team not wanting to commit a supermax contract to a player they believe likes drinking beer and smoking hookah.
The concerns around Doncic’s poor conditioning shortening his career can be allayed now that he’s reportedly more motivated than ever and has the living example of LeBron James in the locker room with him. The opportunity for Doncic to achieve even greater things as a Laker is evident, but he needs to take it.
Luka was clearly deeply impacted by the Mavericks’ sudden decision to trade him, so LeBron and the Lakers have done their best to ease his adjustment into the roster. That’s been working well, as Doncic is averaging 27.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on the Lakers.
He had a slow start but has stabilized his form and efficiency. He is averaging 32.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over the last four games, although three of them have been losses.
With the team finally healthy and in the final stretch of the season, it’s time for Doncic, LeBron, and the rest to go full boar into Playoff season to try and secure a championship at the first time of asking.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
