Although Luka Doncic put up impressive numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers following his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, it never felt like he was truly playing at his best.
The combination of Doncic’s return from injury, the emotions over the trade and the unfamiliarity of a new system and team all provided challenges for the star. Doncic still managed to lead the Lakers to the third seed in the Western Conference, but the team was routed in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now, Doncic enters the 2025-26 season with a body as well as more experience playing under head coach JJ Redick and alongside LeBron James. Doncic and James showed natural chemistry on the floor despite not having any previous time together, so there’s optimism that there’s more upside to the pairing.
Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean believes training camp will be beneficial for both Doncic and James to continue building chemistry with each other and the rest of the team, via Edvinas Jablonskis of Basketnews.com:
“The idea of Luka having an opportunity to play in training camp with us is going to be critical, and getting this team to build their chemistry and work together. This season, we’re poised and excited to have a training camp together,” St. Jean told BasketNews.
“LeBron and Luka being able to spend more time together, we think, will be really positive for both of them and obviously our team,” he concluded.
Not only will training camp give Doncic a better understanding of the system and his teammates, it will give him and James more time to gel as a duo. Both are top-tier playmakers with size, so Redick and the coaching staff will be able to have an offensive engine on the floor at all times.
Doncic and James connected on numerous highlight-reel plays last season, but more time together lends itself to even more possibilities between the two. Doncic called playing alongside James on the Lakers as an amazing experience, and fans will surely be in for treat when the 2025-26 season officially begins.
LeBron James supportive and understanding of Lakers’ shift to Luka Doncic
LeBron James’ partnership with the Lakers reached a tenuous point at the beginning of the offseason when he seemed to passively-aggressively suggest the franchise should still cater to him. Some initially took it as a soft trade request, but James and his representation denied those allegations.
Since then, it seems like James has processed everything and is indeed supportive and understanding of the Lakers’ shift to Luka Doncic.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
