As the Lakers navigate one of the most dramatic offseasons in franchise history, Luka Doncic’s camp is doing its part to ease tensions. In a statement to the media, Doncic’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, praised the Lakers’ leadership and emphasized Luka’s respect for LeBron James. The timing of the message feels intentional, and it may be the strongest sign yet that both stars are trying to keep things stable, for now..
“The Lakers leadership team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of Luka since we arrived in L.A.,” said Seager, in a chat with Ramona Shelburne. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other over the last few months, and we’ve formed a strong working relationship.”
Doncic, 26, is still adjusting to his new surroundings after the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Lakers in February. With averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, he’s been a beast in Los Angeles, but the situation has turned volatile with reports of a growing rift between LeBron James and the Lakers’ front office. In an effort to ease the growing tension, Luka’s camp issued a public statement showing support for his veteran teammate.
“Championships are won when you work together. We all share that same goal,” said Seager. “Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him. He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”
LeBron and Luka have played less than 28 games together, but it was enough for them to demonstrate remarkable chemistry on the court. Together, they had the offense running like a well-oiled machine en route to securing the third-best record in the West.
But as the Lakers have shifted their focus to building around Luka, LeBron has increasingly been pushed to the background. Rather than going all-in for another title run, the front office appears more interested in preserving cap flexibility for 2027, when they hope to pair Luka with another superstar.
As it stands, James’ future is entirely uncertain, and the likelihood is lower than it’s ever been that he will retire a Laker. Both sides are reportedly ready to move on now, and both LeBron and his son have been involved in several trade rumors that would end his time on the Lakers forever.
While Luka may be the spark that motivated these changes, he didn’t ask for any of it. He never asked to be traded mid-season, and he never wanted the pressure that comes with being the top dog on the most lucrative franchise in sports. For Doncic, playing with a guy like LeBron (who has already won at the highest levels) was one of his favorite things about the trade, and he wants to keep it going for as long as he can.
While it’s unclear how much longer LeBron will remain in Los Angeles, it’s evident that Luka is doing what he can to steady the ship. Whether the partnership continues or not, Doncic’s respect for LeBron is genuine, and publicly backing him could go a long way in silencing the noise. If the Lakers want to make one last run with this duo, they’ll need more than just talent on the floor—they’ll need unity off it, too.
