As the NBA season pushes past its midpoint, questions continue to swirl around LeBron James’ long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Retirement speculation has grown louder, but for now, James’ focus is firmly planted on winning, and on building something alongside Luka Doncic.
Since Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles, the Lakers have leaned into the natural overlap between two of the league’s smartest on-ball creators.
With more time together, their pick-and-roll chemistry has started to blossom, and James has taken on an added responsibility beyond the box score: preparing Doncic to eventually carry the franchise forward.
“Just trying to lead by example, showing him the way, using my voice, using my example, using everything I can,” LeBron James said speaking with Melissa Rohlin of the California Post. “He’s now. It’s not like he’s next. He’s right now. I just love the kid. I love everything about him. I just want him to take his journey as far as he wants to go. And I’m happy to be a small part of his journey. Hopefully, he can take something from me.”
That endorsement carries weight, particularly given where James is in his career. Now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, the all-time leading scorer is acutely aware that time is finite.
Rather than distancing himself from that reality, James appears intent on passing along every ounce of knowledge he can.
The Lakers’ history has often followed a familiar pattern: one generational star handing the reins to the next. From Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant, and now to Doncic , the expectation is enormous. At 26, Luka Doncic is coming off a near-title run in 2024 and remains hungry for his first championship ring.
James understands that responsibility better than most. He entered the league as an 18-year-old savior in Cleveland and eventually delivered a title to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Now, with the Los Angeles Lakers, he sees echoes of that same journey in Doncic.
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