Lakers Acquiring Luka Doncic Could Extend LeBron James’ Career

According to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Luka Doncic could extend LeBron James‘ career. 

LeBron, 40, is the oldest player in the NBA. The King has a player option worth $52.6 million for next season. 

.@mcten:

“There’s a chance that he will renegotiate a new deal and this Luka Doncic addition could extend LeBron James’ career. It’s not a given that next year will be his last year in the NBA” pic.twitter.com/CPWGVhknsn

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 3, 2025

The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron is averaging 24.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists this season. He’s still one of the top players in the game despite being the oldest guy in the association. 

According to NBA insiders Fred Katz, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, LeBron wasn’t upset the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Doncic. 

“That’s why James was not upset by the trade, a league source said,” Katz, Amick and Vardon wrote. “He was shocked when he was informed of the trade by his agent Rich Paul, who also represents Davis, while at dinner with his family in New York after recording a triple-double in a win over the Knicks on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. James’ chief concern, according to the same league source, was Davis’ emotions following the trade. Otherwise, James viewed it as a ‘business decision’ the Lakers needed to make, and not just because he wanted roster changes. The future will soon be here in which James is no longer involved.”

Los Angeles is in fifth place in the Western Conference standings under first-year head coach JJ Redick.

Doncic, LeBron and Austin Reaves are now the three best players on the team. 

Doncic has appeared in only 22 games this season. He’s currently out with a calf injury. The 25-year-old is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists. 

Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.