LeBron James is set to form a superstar partnership with Luka Doncic after reports claimed the 40-year-old wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers beyond the NBA trade deadline.
It emerged on Saturday night that the Lakers are sending Anthony Davis, a 2029 first-round pick and Max Christie to the Mavericks, in exchange for Doncic – one of the stars of the NBA – Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
It is one of the most remarkable trades in NBA history and, on Sunday, ESPN reported that James intends to stay in Los Angeles beyond Thursday’s trade deadline.
Doncic has said James is his ‘idol’ and now they are now slated to line up alongside one another following the seismic three-team trade that sees Davis head to Dallas.
The 40-year-old James reportedly learned about the trade while out for dinner with his family and was said to be ‘surprised’ by the news.
He angrily hit back at claims he wanted Davis out of the Lakers, replying to report by CBS: ‘You a fkn lie!!!’
LeBron James reportedly wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers beyond the trade deadline
James is now set to form a superstar partnership with Luka Doncic after his bombshell trade
As it stands, James has a player option for the 2025-26 season, which would be a record-breaking 23rd year in the league.
The Golden State Warriors asked about trading for the NBA legend last February, with Warriors governor Joe Lacob reaching out to his Lakers counterpart Jeanie Buss.
James’ representatives made clear his desire to stay in Los Angeles and he then signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers during the offseason.
The deal is said to include a ‘de facto no-trade clause’ and shortly after James outlined his desire to finish his career in Los Angeles.
‘I am a Laker and I’m happy and been very happy being a Laker the last six years and hopefully it stays that way,’ James said.
‘But I don’t have the answer to how long it is or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully (it) is with the Lakers. It’s a great organization, so many greats. But we’ll see.’