LeBron James opened up on the infamous Luka Doncic trade that brought the point guard to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move is still talked about around the league, as fans still don’t understand why the Mavericks parted ways with the future of the franchise.
During a conversation with the Pat McAfee show on Wednesday, the four-time NBA champion touched on a variety of topics, including his new star teammate. James explained that he didn’t know how Doncic felt at that moment, but he could relate to the part where he left a team after seven years.
“I can’t put myself in his shoes,” James said. “I’ve never been traded before, but I can have a sense and be a human being that know, you commit to a franchise for seven years and you feel like, ‘This is the place where I wanna be.’ And then out of nowhere, you just get traded. I don’t give a damn where you’re going, it doesn’t matter who you’re pairing with, that’s a shock to your system.”
James knew Doncic could step on the floor quickly after he made it to Los Angeles, but insisted that the team would adjust to the Slovenian and not the other way around.
“He is still that guy,” James added. “In order for us to reach our potential, he has to be that guy. Let us figure it out with you, because we need you to be who you are.”
“Luka Doncic committed to a franchise for seven years and that was his comfort..
Out of nowhere you get traded and that’s a shock to your system..
I had to let him know that we’ll figure it out because we need him to be who he is” ~ @KingJames #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/kPEIag0MID
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
Fans and analysts were shocked after learning that Doncic was headed to Los Angeles. Out of 18 games with the purple and gold, Doncic has won 11. The team is in a three-game skid and Doncic’s recent performances have raised eyebrows in the media.