Source: Luka Dončić Wants LeBron James to Retire From NBA With Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Dončić wants LeBron James to retire from the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, a source told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
James is set to make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. If he retires after the 2025–26 campaign, Dončić would get his wish. However, if James chooses to play in 2026–27, Dončić hopes the league’s all-time leading scorer re-signs with the Lakers in the summer of 2026, the source said.
Dončić, a native of Slovenia, has frequently said James was the player he watched most growing up. The former Dallas Mavericks superstar enjoyed playing alongside James last season and believes the Lakers can contend for a championship next year, the source said.
Dončić and James played 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15–8 in those games, and both stars posted standout numbers.
Dončić averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game alongside James, who contributed 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the same span.
Los Angeles entered the 2025 playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference but fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round, despite having home-court advantage.
Following the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets on the first day of free agency, Dončić helped recruit Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to Los Angeles, the source said. Austin Reaves also played a role in bringing in Jake LaRavia, the source added.
Dončić, 26, is expected to sign a contract extension with the Lakers this weekend. He enters next season with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists across his time with the Mavericks and Lakers.
He ranks third in NBA history in career scoring average, trailing only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
James, the league’s oldest active player, remains an elite offensive weapon. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season.
Following the Lakers’ early playoff exit, rumors surfaced that Dončić and James didn’t enjoy playing together. Dončić’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, quickly dismissed those claims.
“Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him,” Seager told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”
The Lakers are expected to start Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton next season, multiple sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
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