LeBron James has said it will be “special” to play on the same side as the LA Lakers’ new arrival Luka Doncic.
Doncic completed a shock trade to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks last weekend with Anthony Davis, an NBA champion with the Lakers in 2020, moving in the opposite direction to the Slovenian.
Doncic, 25, has been an NBA All-Star for the past five seasons and finished as the league’s top scorer in 2024.
“It’s going to be special,” James said. “We’re gonna attract a lot of eyes.
“Listen, Luka is a big-time player. [He’s] 25-years-old, hasn’t even reached his prime yet, and he’s done some amazing stuff in our league already.
“I’m happy to have him and LA is happy to have him. It’s still a little bit surreal, to be honest.”
James was speaking shortly after the Lakers’ 122-97 win against the LA Clippers on Tuesday night.
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner, hit 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Lakers strolled to victory.
Doncic, who has had a calf injury since December, watched on from the side of the court alongside his new team-mates.
Speaking before the game, Doncic expressed his shock at his move to the Lakers.
“You can imagine how surprised I was,” he said.
“I had to check if it was April 1. I didn’t really believe it.”
The Lakers expect Doncic to make his debut later this month.
