After arriving midseason, Luka Doncic helped the Lakers to 50 wins and the No. 3 seed in the West. Now, with a full season together, his co-star in LeBron James is eager to see what the partnership can bring.
LeBron James is continuing to defy Father Time.
But now, at 40 years old and about to begin his 23rd NBA season, even the league’s all-time leading scorer admits the clock is ticking.
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What keeps him pushing? The chance to finally share a full season with Luka Doncic.
“I get a full season with Luka,” James said.
He continued: “Seeing what Luka was doing in EuroBasket this summer — everyone’s talking about his body and how in shape he is and all that. Another season under the belt with the coaching staff.
The Lakers acquired Doncic in February in a blockbuster deal with Dallas that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks.
Despite joining the team midway through the year, Doncic helped L.A. secure the No. 3 seed in the West and its first 50-win season in five years, though the run ended with a first-round playoff exit.
Now slimmer and in what many consider the best shape of his career, Doncic impressed this summer at EuroBasket, averaging 24.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists for Slovenia.
He said the chance to build chemistry with James heading into the new season is something he values.
“Just us going through practices and communicating a lot will help us. You can learn so much from him, on and off the court, and I’m just excited to keep doing that,” Doncic said.
James, meanwhile, emphasized the motivation he gets from sharing the floor with the 26-year-old star.
“The motivation to play alongside him every single night — that’s why I train my body more,” James said. “Every night I go out there, I want to be the best player I can be for him. We’ve got to bounce that off one another.”
With head coach JJ Redick entering his second season and guard Austin Reaves taking on a bigger leadership role, the Lakers are banking on continuity — and the rare pairing of a 40-year-old legend and a 26-year-old MVP candidate — to push them toward an 18th championship.
"The best thing about this year is that we’re starting right now. Training camp, Day One, knowing the system, knowing what we want to do.”
And with the addition of former DPOY winner Marcus Smart and former No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton, Doncic and James are eager to lead L.A. back to the NBA summit.
“We added some great pieces. I’m very excited to play with those guys. Some guys I played against and it was hard, but now I’m glad they’re on my team,” Doncic said.
James added: “The more time we get together, the better we’re going to be. The Western Conference is super tough and super competitive — and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.