The Hard Reality of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Their Fit Together

This might not be what people want to hear, but it’s an undeniable, tough truth.

In what could be one of his final NBA seasons, LeBron James has gained another All-Star teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers. Joining the ranks of stars like Chris Bosh, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Dwyane Wade is Luka Doncic.

While some may question if James and Doncic’s playing styles will clash, there’s one reality that even the most devoted skeptics must accept: The Lakers didn’t make this trade to enhance James’ game.

James has become synonymous with longevity, playing 22 seasons and consistently maintaining star-level performance. He’s on track for another All-NBA selection in 2024-25, proving he has at least one more All-Star season left.

Despite that impressive fact, James is 40 years old, and as much as the four-time MVP has defied the aging process, Father Time remains undefeated.

Eventually, James will retire from the NBA. While it’s uncertain if he’ll finish his career in Los Angeles, the hope is that he can secure another championship with the Lakers before he steps away.

With those clear realities in mind, another must be addressed: While the Lakers are thrilled to have Doncic alongside James, the true long-term plan is for the 25-year-old to replace him.

Luka Can Prolong LeBron’s Career, But He’s Also the Lakers’ Future Star

Ideally, Doncic would help extend James’ career by easing the burden of playmaking and scoring. This would allow James to manage the regular season more carefully, protecting his health and reducing the physical toll before the playoffs.

When James eventually retires, the Lakers will have already shifted their focus to Doncic as their franchise player, ensuring they remain competitive.

Even if Doncic and James never fully gel on the court, the trade would still be a win. While James is unmatched, at 40, there’s no telling how many more years he can play at this level.

Doncic, on the other hand, is just 25 and has already been named to the All-NBA First Team five times, leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024.

By acquiring Doncic, the Lakers have immediately made him their top player and the focal point of future roster decisions. Though the thought of what he and James could accomplish together is thrilling, the Lakers’ long-term vision for Doncic goes beyond this season.

The Lakers see Doncic as both their present and future superstar, hoping he thrives for the next decade.

Given this, while concerns about how two ball-dominant players will mesh are valid, they don’t diminish the value of the trade. In the worst case, if their playing styles clash, the Lakers could part ways with James sooner and prioritize Doncic even more.

It’s a tough aspect of the NBA business, but as hard as it is to admit, developing chemistry between Doncic and James would be a bonus rather than a priority for the future.

The ultimate goal for the Lakers is clear: they have found one of the rare players capable of replacing James—and that’s exactly their plan for him.