LJUBLJANA — Luka Dončić spoke about LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency during an interview with Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
James and Dončić had a record of 47-25 in the regular season and 1-4 in the playoffs together.
“He just let me be me, and I really respect that,” Dončić said about James. “And the way he approached the game with us, it was unbelievable. It was very respectable. I had so much fun playing with him. And, like I said, I think we could have made some noise in the playoffs if me and AR don’t get injured. I think we had a chance.”
The Lakers went 53-29 last season. Dončić led the NBA in points per game and total points in his first full season with Los Angeles.
However, Dončić missed the 2026 playoffs because of the left hamstring injury he suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James led the Lakers to a first-round playoff series win against the Houston Rockets in six games. Without Dončić, though, Los Angeles was swept by Oklahoma City in the second round.
Lakers Made Many Moves After LeBron Left
The Lakers completely reshaped their roster around Dončić and Austin Reaves after James left.
LAL acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle in free agency.
Along with James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton are no longer on the Lakers. Smart signed with the Rockets, Kennard joined the Phoenix Suns, Hachimura went to the LA Clippers and Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy.
The Lakers begin this season at home against the Golden State Warriors.
Dončić and James will face each other twice this season: December 25 and March 4.
Dončić: ‘I Think We’re Very Deep’
The Lakers’ front office collaborated with Dončić on the roster overhaul in the offseason.
Some pundits believe Los Angeles will struggle this season since James is gone, but Dončić thinks the Purple and Gold will be competitive.
“I think we’re very deep, which is very important, especially going to the playoffs,” Dončić said. “And we have guys that are not afraid. Some of the new guys, I’ve played against. They are not afraid.”
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game last season. He will make $49.5 million this season. The All-Star can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 by declining his 2028-29 player option worth $57.4 million.
A future Hall of Famer, Dončić has career averages of 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the regular season and 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers. He signed a three-year, $160 million extension with LAL last year.
