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Dave McMenamin
LOS ANGELES — Because the ink was nonetheless drying on the three-year, $165 million contract extension Luka Doncic signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, Doncic’s telephone began buzzing with the participant who has been the face of the franchise the previous seven seasons: LeBron James.
James congratulated Doncic on the take care of a video name, sources acquainted with the change confirmed to ESPN, after the contract was signed and earlier than Doncic participated in a information convention on the Lakers’ apply facility Saturday.
James was not among the many half-dozen teammates to attend the information convention or the group journey from L.A. to Las Vegas on Saturday night time to attend the Backstreet Boys live performance at Sphere. However the name continued the assist James has proven for Doncic because the Lakers shocked the basketball world by buying and selling for the 26-year-old famous person in February.
“Luka has been my favourite participant within the NBA for some time now,” James mentioned on Feb. 4 in his first public feedback after his longtime teammate, Anthony Davis, was traded to Dallas to accumulate Doncic.
The Lakers went 16-7 within the video games James and Doncic performed collectively down the stretch within the common season.
When requested about Doncic’s impending contract resolution following the Lakers’ first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, James advised ESPN he wished Doncic to stay round — however he wouldn’t try and sway his resolution.
“I hope, clearly, [he stays long term],” James advised ESPN on April 30. “Laker followers f—ing love him right here. L.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. However in the end, he is obtained to decide for him. S—, I ain’t going to be round for much longer.”
Although James’ sentiments towards Doncic have been constant, with sources telling ESPN that each gamers maintain respect and reverence for one another, James’ ideas concerning the Lakers aren’t as clear-cut.
James opted into the ultimate yr of his contract value $52.6 million in June, establishing his record-setting twenty third season within the league in 2025-26 with the Lakers.
However when James opted in, his agent and Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul issued an announcement to ESPN’s Shams Charania that opened the door for hypothesis concerning the how the ultimate chapter of the four-time champion’s profession would play out.
“LeBron needs to compete for a championship,” Paul advised ESPN on June 29. “He is aware of the Lakers are constructing for the long run. He understands that, however he values a sensible probability of successful all of it. We’re very appreciative of the partnership that we have had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and take into account the Lakers as a important a part of his profession.
“We perceive the issue in successful now whereas getting ready for the long run. We do wish to consider what’s greatest for LeBron at this stage in his life and profession. He needs to make each season he has left rely, and the Lakers perceive that, are supportive and wish what’s greatest for him.”
When requested about Paul’s assertion and James’ future on Saturday, Lakers president of basketball operations and basic supervisor, Rob Pelinka, mentioned the staff and James’ camp stay copacetic.
“All of the interactions we have had with LeBron and his camp, Wealthy specifically, have been constructive and supportive,” Pelinka mentioned. “The dialogue with [Paul] has been open and fixed.”
As for what comes subsequent for James past subsequent season, Pelinka mentioned the staff would take the 40-year-old star’s lead.
“I believe the primary factor we’ve got to do there’s respect he and his household’s resolution when it comes to how lengthy he’ll play,” Pelinka mentioned. “We wish to respect his capability to provide you with his timetable on that. I believe that is actually necessary. But when he had an opportunity to retire a Laker, that will be nice.”
NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported James’ efforts to succeed in Doncic for a congratulatory name on Saturday.