LeBron James has spent two decades measuring greatness, but when it comes to Luka Doncic, the 41-year-old Lakers star is still in awe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love the way he approaches the game,\u201d James said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. \u201cI love the way he plays the game. More importantly, man, he\u2019s just a great f\u2014ing guy. Big-time savant of the game. I always use IQ as a measuring point in basketball\u2014guys who can think the game. There are so many guys in our league who can play the game, but to be able to think the game as well puts you at another level.\u201d<\/p>\n
LeBron added, \u201cYou can tell he learned the game the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lakers pulled off a blockbuster deal last season, landing Doncic from Dallas and pairing him with his childhood idol.<\/p>\n
In the 23 games they shared the floor, Los Angeles went 15\u20138, flashing the kind of chemistry that has the franchise dreaming of another title run.<\/p>\n
Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks alongside James. LeBron countered with 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks during that same stretch.<\/p>\n
James has already locked in for one more year, exercising his 2025-26 player option worth $52.6 million.<\/p>\n
After that, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018.<\/p>\n
Doncic, meanwhile, has made it clear he hopes the all-time scoring leader finishes his career in purple and gold.<\/p>\n
Doncic \u201cwants James to retire from the NBA with the Lakers\u201d and believes the duo can contend right now, according to DallasHoopsJournal<\/a>.<\/p>\n For two of the league\u2019s biggest stars, the respect is clearly mutual, and the championship chase is officially on in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n